UNFPA Warns of Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in North Darfur, Urges Urgent Global Response

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a stark warning over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in North Darfur, highlighting the severe impact on women and girls amid escalating conflict and mounting displacement.

In a statement released by UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Director, Laila Baker, the agency expressed deep concern over the ongoing siege of Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and the surrounding areas, where critical food and medical aid deliveries have been blocked, pushing tens of thousands toward starvation.

"Women and girls are bearing the brunt of this crisis," the statement read. "Hospitals have been repeatedly targeted, medical personnel killed, and the last functioning facility in Al Fasher—its maternity hospital—is overwhelmed and operating far beyond its capacity. Tragically, some women have died while waiting to give birth in hospital wards."

UNFPA has called on all parties to the conflict to immediately allow rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to North Darfur, including Al Fasher.

Since April 2025, renewed violence has forced an estimated 327,000 people to flee to Tawila, many of them displaced from Zamzam camp. Tawila now hosts over half a million displaced people, severely straining its limited health infrastructure and resources.

"The health system in Tawila is on the verge of collapse," UNFPA warned. "There are massive shortages in essential medicines and supplies, leaving hundreds of thousands—including an estimated 22,400 pregnant women—without access to life-saving health care."

While UNFPA and its partners continue to deploy medical teams and distribute reproductive health supplies, the scale of need far exceeds available services. Efforts to expand health infrastructure in Tawila have stalled due to critical funding gaps.

"The lack of funding for essential services could cost countless lives," said Baker. "We urgently call on the international community to scale up its support and help prevent further suffering and avoidable loss of life."

UNFPA reiterated its commitment to supporting affected communities, but emphasized that without immediate and increased financial support, the humanitarian crisis in North Darfur risks spiraling even further out of control.