A report by the Sudan Doctors Network has revealed catastrophic humanitarian and health conditions in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, covering the period from January to April—six months after the city was taken over by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to the report, the RSF has detained around 2,377 individuals, including civilians and military personnel. Among them are 426 children and 370 women, as well as approximately 20 doctors, including four female doctors. Detainees are being held in multiple locations, including Shalla Prison, public service facilities such as the Children’s Hospital and the main bus terminal, in addition to others confined inside shipping containers under harsh conditions.
The report documents widespread violations inside detention centers, including torture, deaths during interrogation, and ethnically motivated killings. Survivor testimonies indicate that in February, at least 16 civilians were executed inside Al-Rasheed dormitories at the University of El Fasher after being accused of links to regular forces.
The takeover of the city was marked by intense military operations that resulted in high civilian casualties due to indiscriminate shelling and direct attacks on residential neighborhoods. These events triggered a surge in serious injuries while the health system nearly collapsed, leaving medical facilities unable to cope with the growing needs.
Health conditions inside detention centers have further deteriorated, with a cholera outbreak reported since early February. The lack of medical care, clean water, and adequate nutrition has led to weekly deaths ranging from 5 to 10 cases, with total fatalities surpassing 300 within two months. Reports also indicate that bodies are sometimes left for extended periods before being buried by detainees.
The healthcare sector is facing a severe shortage of personnel due to the detention of medical staff, alongside critical shortages of medical supplies. Detainees are also suffering from extreme shortages of food and drinking water, with deaths reported on a daily basis.
The Sudan Doctors Network warned that the situation in El Fasher reflects a severe and escalating humanitarian crisis, calling for urgent international intervention to stop violations, secure the release of civilian detainees, restore essential health services, and ensure the protection of those still in the city.
