OCHA: Stranded Civilians in El Fasher Face Severe Shortages of Food and Water

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that those remaining in El Fasher are facing severe shortages of food and clean water, while local markets have been repeatedly disrupted.

An assessment conducted by humanitarian partners and local authorities revealed that 38% of children under the age of five in displacement sites in El Fasher are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11% with severe acute malnutrition.

In its report, OCHA stated that most of the water infrastructure in the area has been destroyed or rendered inoperable due to lack of maintenance and fuel needed to operate generators.

Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said he held a series of discussions last week regarding the need for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged city of El Fasher, located in Sudan’s North Darfur State.