UN envoy warns of humanitarian crisis in Darfur

By Edwin -

The UN envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, warned on August 12, 2023 of a humanitarian crisis in Darfur, as fighting between government forces and rebels intensifies. Perthes said that the fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and is preventing aid from reaching those in need.


Darfur is a region in western Sudan that has been plagued by conflict for over two decades. The conflict began in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government of Sudan, accusing it of neglect and discrimination. The government responded with a brutal campaign of violence, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions more.

The fighting in Darfur has recently intensified, with government forces and rebels engaging in heavy clashes. The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and has made it difficult for aid agencies to reach those in need.

Perthes said that the humanitarian situation in Darfur is "extremely worrying." He said that the fighting is causing "widespread displacement," and that "aid agencies are struggling to reach those in need." Perthes also warned that the conflict is "threatening to spill over into neighboring countries."

The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire in Darfur. The UN Security Council has also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities that are contributing to the conflict.

However, the fighting in Darfur shows no signs of abating. The government and rebels are both dug in, and neither side seems willing to compromise. This is a worrying development, as it could lead to a further escalation of the conflict and a humanitarian catastrophe.

In addition to the fighting, the humanitarian situation in Darfur is being exacerbated by a number of other factors, including:

  • A severe drought that has left millions of people without access to water.
  • A locust infestation that has destroyed crops and livestock.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted health services and made it difficult to deliver aid.

The combination of these factors is creating a perfect storm in Darfur, and the humanitarian situation is only going to get worse if the fighting does not stop. The international community must take urgent action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.

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