UN Calls for Ceasefire, Humanitarian Corridor to Reach Stranded Civilians in War-Torn Darfur Region
The head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, has urged a ceasefire and establishment of a humanitarian corridor to access tens of thousands of civilians trapped in el-Fasher, a city in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region. The city fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month, and Pope is concerned about getting aid groups to reach residents who have been largely cut off from essential services.
Pope stated that when humanitarian workers are at risk of being killed or detained, it hinders their ability to provide assistance. She emphasized the need for a ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor to ensure aid can be delivered to civilians caught in the middle. The RSF has been accused by human rights groups of committing widespread massacres during its capture of el-Fasher on October 26.
According to IOM figures, nearly 90,000 residents have fled since the RSF's takeover. Displaced families have described treacherous journeys out of the city, including encountering dead bodies and being forced to create makeshift trenches to avoid being shot at or harmed by drones. They also recounted unspeakable sexual trauma and abuse.
The situation in Sudan is dire, with humanitarian aid efforts on the brink of collapse due to continued insecurity and funding constraints. Warehouses are almost empty, aid convoys face significant risks, and access restrictions prevent adequate aid delivery. The violence has spread to other parts of the country, including North Kordofan state, where nearly 39,000 people have fled intense fighting.
Meanwhile, UN Women's regional director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, warned that women and girls who fled el-Fasher face serious threats of sexual violence in displacement camps. She stated that rape is being deliberately used as a weapon of war, with women's bodies becoming crime scenes in Sudan. The situation highlights the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor to reach stranded civilians and prevent further suffering.
The head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, has urged a ceasefire and establishment of a humanitarian corridor to access tens of thousands of civilians trapped in el-Fasher, a city in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region. The city fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month, and Pope is concerned about getting aid groups to reach residents who have been largely cut off from essential services.
Pope stated that when humanitarian workers are at risk of being killed or detained, it hinders their ability to provide assistance. She emphasized the need for a ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor to ensure aid can be delivered to civilians caught in the middle. The RSF has been accused by human rights groups of committing widespread massacres during its capture of el-Fasher on October 26.
According to IOM figures, nearly 90,000 residents have fled since the RSF's takeover. Displaced families have described treacherous journeys out of the city, including encountering dead bodies and being forced to create makeshift trenches to avoid being shot at or harmed by drones. They also recounted unspeakable sexual trauma and abuse.
The situation in Sudan is dire, with humanitarian aid efforts on the brink of collapse due to continued insecurity and funding constraints. Warehouses are almost empty, aid convoys face significant risks, and access restrictions prevent adequate aid delivery. The violence has spread to other parts of the country, including North Kordofan state, where nearly 39,000 people have fled intense fighting.
Meanwhile, UN Women's regional director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, warned that women and girls who fled el-Fasher face serious threats of sexual violence in displacement camps. She stated that rape is being deliberately used as a weapon of war, with women's bodies becoming crime scenes in Sudan. The situation highlights the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor to reach stranded civilians and prevent further suffering.
I'm so worried about those people stuck in Darfur... it's like, what even is happening there? 
The fact that they're being forced to make these treacherous journeys just to survive is heartbreaking 
. And the RSF accusing of all these massacres, it's like, how can we turn a blind eye to this stuff? 
I mean, I know the situation in Sudan is dire, but does anyone even care? 
The UN's call for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor seems like a no-brainer, but I guess that's just easier said than done... 
And it's not like they're even letting in medical supplies or food... it's like, what kind of humanitarian crisis is that? 
It makes me wonder if anyone's actually listening to these reports. 
I mean, Amy Pope and Anna Mutavati are just speaking the truth, but do we care enough to make a difference? 
it's just heartbreaking. i feel so bad for the aid workers too, they're literally risking their lives to help others 
can't even imagine how dire the situation is in other parts of sudan, like north kordofan state 
. And what's with all the dead bodies and trenches? That sounds like total chaos. Anyway, gotta agree that a ceasefire is super necessary ASAP 
. Can't have aid groups risking their lives to reach those trapped civilians. UN Women's Anna Mutavati is totally right about women being targeted for sexual violence too - it's just horrific 
. We need to get some real help into Sudan ASAP, like, yesterday 
and now they're stuck in these displacement camps with no aid or support... it's like the world has turned a blind eye 
and anna mutavati is right, rape is being used as a weapon of war in sudan 
this can't keep going on with tens of thousands of people trapped and dying without access to basic necessities like food and water 
seriously though, 90k ppl stranded in el-Fasher? that's a lot of humanitarians needed ASAP! 
at least they're saying something about stopping the violence... but how many times do we have to tell ourselves this before it becomes a cliché? 
psst, UN Women's regional director Anna Mutavati, you're like the voice of reason in all this mess 
it's just a never-ending cycle of trauma. the UN is right, we need a ceasefire ASAP so aid can get through & help people get back on their feet 
. but at the same time, what about these women & girls who are still living in the camps? 
they deserve protection too 