Nairobi: United Nations agencies and aid groups are warning that the situation in Sudan is deteriorating at a dangerous pace, with fresh reports of killings, starvation and mass displacement coming from the city of El Fasher and other conflict areas.

The World Food Programme said thousands of people are fleeing El Fasher every day after weeks of heavy fighting and reported atrocities carried out during the takeover of the city by the Rapid Support Forces. Many families are walking long distances without food or water, trying to reach safer areas where aid workers can still operate.

UN officials say nearly two out of every three Sudanese now need humanitarian assistance. More than 12 million people have been forced to leave their homes since the conflict began, and at least 40,000 people have been killed according to official figures. Humanitarian groups believe the real numbers may be far higher because many areas remain cut off.

Aid agencies have also raised concerns about famine conditions in parts of Darfur and South Kordofan. They warn that children are among the most vulnerable, with rising malnutrition and disease. The collapse of health services and the lack of safe water have made the situation even more severe.

Relief operations are close to breaking point. The UN says its humanitarian plan for Sudan is funded at only a quarter of what is required, leaving agencies without the supplies needed to support millions of displaced people. Insecurity, blocked roads and attacks on aid convoys have made it extremely difficult to reach those trapped inside conflict zones.

Several countries have condemned the reported mass killings, sexual violence and forced displacement. Human rights groups say the pattern of violence suggests possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As fighting continues and access to communities grows more limited, aid workers fear the crisis could become one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent decades unless urgent action is taken. The UN has called for safe corridors for civilians, full humanitarian access and renewed international pressure to stop the violence.