The United Nations on Monday accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of obstructing humanitarian aid to Darfur, a region on the brink of famine, according to reports gathered by YEPS News.
The RSF, locked in conflict with Sudan’s regular army since April 2023, now controls almost all of Darfur—a western region comparable in size to France. Since May, the militia has besieged North Darfur’s El-Fasher and launched attacks on nearby displacement camps, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
“The persistent restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the RSF’s humanitarian agency are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching those in desperate need,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.
She emphasized global scrutiny, stating, “The world is watching, and it is unacceptable that the humanitarian community in Sudan… is unable to deliver essential aid.”
Escalating Hunger Crisis in Darfur
Famine has already been declared in three areas of North Darfur and is projected to expand to five more by May, according to data from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Nearly seven million people in Darfur are now facing crisis levels of hunger, IPC figures reveal.
On Monday, the UN called for streamlined bureaucratic procedures and an end to undue interference, including demands for logistical support or mandatory engagement with selected vendors—tactics reportedly used to control aid distribution.
Aid Workers Targeted Amid Worsening Conflict
Since the conflict erupted, humanitarian workers have faced growing threats, including obstruction from both warring sides, looting of relief supplies, and direct attacks on aid personnel, reports gathered by YEPS News indicate.
The war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced 12 million people, and triggered one of the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crises. The United Nations estimates that nearly 25 million people across Sudan are suffering from acute food insecurity.
As the crisis deepens, aid organizations continue to push for safe access to affected areas, warning that delays could lead to an even greater humanitarian catastrophe.