Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Attacks Persist in Sudan Camps

The humanitarian situation in Sudan’s Zamzam camp has taken a catastrophic turn as attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalate. With over 100 civilian casualties reported, many are trapped and deprived of medical aid as fears of further assaults loom.

Devastation continues in Sudan as the Zamzam camp, home to over 700,000 displaced individuals fleeing civil war, faces a relentless wave of attacks for a third consecutive day. Residents have described their circumstances as "extremely catastrophic," with more than 100 civilians—at least 20 of whom are children—confirmed killed by armed assaults attributed to the suspected paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports suggest that the RSF has denied responsibility, claiming allegations of their atrocities are fabricated.

With the camp under siege, residents report that vital escape routes are obstructed, leaving families stranded amidst severe famine-like conditions. Mustafa, a 34-year-old volunteer at a community kitchen, expressed his heartbreak over the loss of numerous colleagues, including doctors dedicated to providing emergency healthcare, and described the escalating chaos and ongoing shelling. “People are dying from bleeding,” he lamented, emphasizing the dire lack of medical support.

Another resident, identified as Wasir, painted a bleak picture of their struggle for survival, asserting, “Death is everywhere.” As families attempt to flee the camp, the harsh reality of blocked roads and limited resources culminates in an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The urgent plea for assistance echoes from the camp to the international community.

The situation has drawn grave concern from humanitarian leaders, with the UN’s coordinator in Sudan expressing shock at the intensifying violence. The US State Department has also condemned the RSF’s actions against vulnerable populations, as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy prepares for a conference aimed at addressing the escalating crisis.

In a tragic blow to the humanitarian response, the aid organization Relief International disclosed that nine of its staff members—including healthcare workers—were killed in an RSF assault. The charity denounced the targeting of health infrastructure, warning that the attacks were aimed at preventing access to crucial medical aid for internally displaced people.

Experts from Yale University classified the assault on Zamzam as the most significant ground-based attack since fighting erupted in the region last year. Reports revealed extensive destruction, with many camp structures lost to arson, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.

As the civil war—a power struggle between the army and the RSF—continues to wreak havoc on Sudan, more than 12 million people have been displaced, plunging them into severe food insecurity. The conflict, which reignited on April 15, 2023, shows no signs of abating, and with El-Fasher remaining besieged, the battle for survival intensifies for those in the camps.