Sudan: A city under siege, a nation in crisis
In El Fasher, North Darfur, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding. For over 18 months, the city has been under siege-like conditions, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating. More than 260,000 civilians are trapped, cut off from food, medicine, and safety. Homes, hospitals, and markets have been destroyed. Humanitarian and commercial routes are blocked. And yet, local responders continue risking their lives to keep kitchens, clinics, and shelters running.
Picture from Al Quadaref, one of the places NCA has ongoing humanitarian projects with our partners.
“The war is still ongoing, and we continue to see scenes of unimaginable violence and devastation,”
says Dirk Hanekom, Country Director for Norwegian Church Aid in Sudan.
Violence escalates, violations multiply
The humanitarian community in Sudan condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian workers in and around El Fasher.
Credible reports describe summary executions, house-to-house raids, sexual violence against women and girls, and attacks on civilians attempting to flee. Local responders are in grave danger—some have reportedly been detained or killed.
Humanitarian workers continue operating under extraordinary risk, assisting thousands who have fled to Tawila and surrounding areas. But access to El Fasher remains severely restricted, and the capacity to respond is shrinking as needs grow.
A unified call for urgent action
Humanitarian organizations and INGOs are calling on all warring parties to:
- Cease indiscriminate attacks and protect civilians
- Guarantee safe and unimpeded passage for those fleeing El Fasher
- Ensure protection for humanitarian responders and community-based organizations
- Immediately halt attacks on hospitals, water systems, markets, mosques, and displacement sites
These lifelines are critical for people facing hunger, disease, and displacement.
The role of the international community
We urge Member States, regional organizations, donors, and humanitarian actors to:
- Protect civilians and humanitarian workers by respecting international humanitarian law
- Guarantee safe passage and humanitarian access to reach those trapped
- Ensure accountability for violations and bring perpetrators to justice
- Scale up urgent funding to support lifesaving assistance and empower local responders, including women-led groups
Norwegian Church Aid: Present and Committed
Norwegian Church Aid has worked in Sudan for over 50 years. Through strong partnerships with local organizations, we remain present during the war—delivering both emergency relief and long-term support.
“Despite many challenges, we are reaching some of the most inaccessible areas together with national partners and delivering life-saving aid,” says Hanekom.
We provide clean water, cash assistance, and support for survivors of gender-based violence. Our long-term programs strengthen access to water and sanitation, combat gender-based violence, prevent child marriage, and improve food security and economic opportunities.
