The city of Al-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state in Sudan, has been under siege for more than 500 days, a situation that leaves thousands of children facing hunger and violence, according to a statement from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday.

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“We are witnessing a devastating tragedy – children in Al Fasher are starving while UNICEF’s lifesaving nutrition services are being blocked,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Blocking humanitarian access is a grave violation of children’s rights, and the lives of children are hanging in the balance. UNICEF continues to call for immediate and full access, including through expanded pauses in the fighting to allow us to reach all children in need.  Children must be protected at all times, and they must have access to life-saving aid.”

Simultaneously, Sudan’s Ministry of Health announced 1,210 new cholera cases and 36 deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak began in August 2024 to 102,831, with 2,561 fatalities.

These reports coincide with a rise in attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been trying for more than a week to take control of the headquarters of the Sudanese army’s sixth infantry division, situated within the city.

According to sources on the ground, the armed group has been using drones and heavy artillery, supported by “hundreds of foreign mercenaries.” In retaliation, the Sudanese army has launched counterattacks in the surrounding areas, inflicting casualties and destroying military equipment.

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