EL-FASHER, SUDAN – November 10, 2025 – Tens of thousands of Sudanese civilians are desperately fleeing El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, after its recent capture by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fall of the critical city has triggered a fresh wave of displacement, pushing already strained humanitarian resources to breaking point and prompting grave warnings from the United Nations human rights chief about reported atrocities and the safety of those trapped.

Aid groups on the ground reported Saturday that vast numbers of people have sought refuge in already overcrowded camps across the western Darfur region, escaping what they describe as a fresh wave of violence and human rights abuses following the RSF's takeover. This mass exodus exacerbates a humanitarian catastrophe that has plagued Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023.

The Fall of El-Fasher and Mass Displacement

El-Fasher, strategically vital as the last major city in Darfur not fully under RSF control and a key humanitarian hub, fell to the paramilitary force earlier this week. The capture followed weeks of intense fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias, devastating the city and its surrounding areas. Eyewitness accounts and reports from aid agencies detail widespread looting, destruction of property, and a severe breakdown of law and order in the wake of the RSF's advance.

The UN human rights chief issued a stark warning on Friday, emphasizing that many Sudanese civilians remain trapped within El-Fasher, facing unimaginable conditions without adequate food, water, or medical supplies. The official expressed profound alarm over reports of ethnically motivated attacks and other grave human rights violations targeting civilians, mirroring patterns seen in other parts of Darfur throughout the conflict.

The immediate consequence has been a rapid and desperate displacement of civilians. Families, often with little more than the clothes on their backs, are undertaking perilous journeys to reach perceived safety, primarily in displacement camps that were already struggling to accommodate previous waves of refugees.

A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe

The influx of newly displaced persons has overwhelmed existing humanitarian infrastructure. Camps, designed for far fewer inhabitants, are now severely overcrowded, leading to critical shortages of shelter, sanitation facilities, and clean drinking water. Health services, already fragile, are collapsing under the increased demand, raising fears of outbreaks of disease.

"Tens of thousands have arrived in recent days, adding immense pressure to an already dire situation," stated a spokesperson for an international aid group operating in the region. "We are seeing severe malnutrition, particularly among children, and a complete lack of safe spaces for women and girls. The needs are immediate and overwhelming." Access for humanitarian organizations has been severely hampered by ongoing insecurity and logistical challenges, making it exceedingly difficult to deliver essential aid to those who need it most, both inside El-Fasher and in the surrounding camps.

The situation is further complicated by the approaching lean season, which typically brings increased food insecurity to the region. With agricultural activities severely disrupted by the conflict and supply routes blocked or dangerous, the specter of famine looms large over Darfur.

International Alarm and Calls for Protection

The international community has reacted with renewed alarm to the escalating crisis. The UN Security Council held an emergency session last week, where members condemned the violence and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access. However, concrete actions to enforce these calls remain elusive amidst a stalled political process and deep divisions within the international community.

Humanitarian organizations and human rights advocates are urgently appealing for greater protection for civilians and a renewed commitment from all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law. They stress the historical context of Darfur, a region that witnessed genocide in the early 2000s, warning that the current trajectory risks a repeat of past atrocities if not decisively addressed.

The capture of El-Fasher marks a significant turning point in the Sudan conflict, consolidating the RSF's control over much of Darfur and further fragmenting the country. With millions already displaced and countless lives lost, the international community faces an urgent moral imperative to prevent the further unraveling of Sudan and mitigate the suffering of its people. The fate of those trapped in El-Fasher and the thousands seeking refuge in overcrowded camps hangs precariously in the balance.