The once-bustling outskirts of El Geneina now stand desolate, their charred and bullet-ridden buildings bearing silent testimony to the horrors of Sudan’s brutal conflict. Over 19 months since the outbreak of war, the scars of violence remain starkly visible, while the stench of last year’s fires still lingers in the air.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, recently made history as the first senior UN official to visit West Darfur since the conflict began. His visit highlights the scale of destruction and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
“Darfur has seen the worst of the worst,” Fletcher said. “This crisis involves not only an epidemic of sexual violence and widespread atrocities but also the looming spectre of famine.”
El Geneina, now controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), bore the brunt of last year’s violence. RSF fighters and allied Arab militias targeted the non-Arab Musalit community in what human rights organizations have described as ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and possibly genocide. Human Rights Watch concluded it could amount to genocide, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have also faced allegations of atrocities, including deadly shelling and air raids.
The UN estimates that up to 15,000 people were killed in two massacres in El Geneina alone. Survivors recount harrowing escapes from indiscriminate killings, hunger, and terror. Many fled under the cover of darkness to avoid detection, their journeys fraught with danger.
Near the Chadian border town of Adre, an informal camp run by the UN and Chadian authorities has become a refuge for thousands of displaced people. Women and children form the majority of the population, each carrying heartbreaking stories of loss and survival.
“When we fled, our young brothers were killed,” said a 14-year-old girl who escaped with her family. “We hid during the day and moved at night, but even that was dangerous.”
Elderly women recalled how families were torn apart, with fathers and husbands separated from their children. Crops were left to perish, and famine followed in the wake of violence.
Inside El Geneina, Fletcher visited Al-Riyadh displacement camp, where life continues in stark contrast to the city’s ghostly outskirts. Women in vibrant veils and children playing in the dirt roads provided a semblance of normalcy. Yet, the camp’s residents, displaced since 2003, face mounting challenges. Community elders highlighted the urgent need for food, clean water, and education for children.
During private meetings, Sudanese and international NGOs painted a grim picture of the challenges they face. Operating without reliable communication or sufficient resources, they attempt to assist 99.9% of the population in need. Many aid workers expressed frustration with the UN system, calling for greater efforts to address the crisis.
“This is one of the worst conflicts we've seen in recent memory, with extreme violence and mass displacement,” said Tariq Riebl of the Norwegian Refugee Council. “My biggest fear is that the world doesn’t care enough.”
The global Famine Review Committee has already declared famine conditions in parts of North Darfur, with more areas teetering on the brink. Fletcher acknowledged the complexities of navigating Sudan’s fractured political landscape but pledged to push for greater access to those in need.
Fletcher’s mission comes amid concerns that the world’s focus remains on other crises, such as Ukraine and Gaza, leaving Sudan’s suffering in the shadows. Regional powers, including the UAE, Egypt, and Russia, are accused of fueling the conflict, complicating efforts for peace.
As Fletcher concluded his visit, he vowed to fight against impunity and indifference. For the people of El Geneina and the displaced of Darfur, his efforts offer a glimmer of hope in a conflict described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The question remains: will the world listen?