Khartoum: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) voiced concern over mounting civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions across Sudan. In a statement late Monday, OCHA said, "it has now been 842 days since conflict between troops from the military government and their former allies-turned-rivals in the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in Sudan, turning the country into the world's largest humanitarian crisis." It went on to say, "Heavy fighting continues in North Darfur State, with multiple civilian casualties reported in recent days -- most notably during clashes in the state capital, El Fasher, on 1 and 2 August -- following earlier violence between armed groups near the Abu Shouk camp for displaced people, which currently hosts 25,000 residents." "One year after famine was confirmed in Zamzam camp on the outskirts of El Fasher, the city remains under siege, with no food aid deliveries entering by road, leaving residents of the regional capital increasingly facing starvation." "Prices of food items such as sorghum and wheat are more than four times higher than elsewhere in the country, while many families are unable to afford even the most basic items," it added.
According to Kuwait News Agency, cholera continues to spread across Darfur, with nearly 1,200 cases reported -- around 300 of them children -- in the locality of Tawila since late June. Some 20 children died.
Edem Wosornu, Director of OCHA's Operations and Advocacy Division, is scheduled to visit Sudan this week to assess the humanitarian situation and meet with local officials, partners, and affected communities.