**Two-Thirds of Sudan’s Population in Dire Need of Aid Amid Ongoing Conflict, UN Official Says**

CAIRO (AP) — Two out of three people in war-torn Sudan are in dire need of aid, a U.N. official said Wednesday. The situation is becoming “horrific for civilians,” Tom Fletcher, head of United Nations humanitarian affairs and relief, told The Associated Press as aid groups struggle to deliver much-needed assistance to affected communities.

“The access we need is far too limited by the conflict,” Fletcher said during a phone interview from Darfur.

### Conflict Background

The military and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) went to war in 2023 after tensions erupted between the two factions. Once allies, the army and RSF had been tasked with overseeing Sudan’s democratic transition following the 2019 uprising.

The fighting has resulted in at least 40,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization, and displaced 12 million people. However, aid organizations warn that the true death toll could be much higher.

### Overcrowded Camps and Strained Resources

As the conflict drags on for over two years, humanitarian resources have been significantly depleted across Sudan, said Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

“People are exhausted and vulnerabilities are extremely high,” Pope told the AP from the capital, Khartoum.

A recent influx of displaced people fleeing to the Darfur region has further strained already overcrowded camps and drained limited supplies. Darfur and Kordofan have become the epicenter of the fighting.

### Atrocities in Darfur

Last month, the RSF seized el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, ending a siege that lasted more than 18 months. They reportedly rampaged through the Saudi Hospital in the city, killing more than 450 people, per WHO reports. RSF forces also went house to house, killing civilians and committing sexual assaults.

Mashad Organization, a rights group, reported on Sunday that hundreds of girls were subjected to sexual violence during these attacks.

As of November 4, the IOM estimates that around 82,000 people fled el-Fasher and its surrounding areas, seeking safety in places such as Tawila.

### Malnutrition and Humanitarian Crisis

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on Wednesday that its teams have witnessed “staggering” malnutrition rates among those who fled el-Fasher and arrived in Tawila.

Amy Pope provided grim details of the conflict in a virtual briefing from Khartoum, saying that many fleeing civilians describe witnessing shootings and having to walk over dead bodies.

“The scale of the need is absolutely incredible. And of course, it is coinciding at a time when there have been unprecedented humanitarian cuts to assistance around the world,” Pope said.

### Talks of a Humanitarian Truce

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohi al-Din Salem stated on Tuesday that the government does not engage officially with the U.S.-led mediator group known as the Quad, which proposed a humanitarian truce in September.

“The Quad group was not formed by a decision from the Security Council or an international organization,” Salem said, emphasizing that Sudan conducts bilateral relations with countries such as Egypt.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated on Wednesday that his country stands firm against any attempts to divide Sudan.

The U.S.-led plan includes a three-month ceasefire followed by a nine-month political process, according to Massad Boulos, a U.S. adviser for African affairs.

The RSF announced last week that it agreed to the proposed humanitarian truce. While the army welcomed the proposal, it stated it would only agree to a truce if the RSF withdraws from civilian areas and surrenders its weapons.

Fletcher added on Wednesday that his agency remains in contact with the warring parties to push for aid delivery.

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Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report from the United Nations.
https://wgntv.com/health/ap-health/ap-sudans-worsening-situation-leaves-2-out-of-every-3-people-in-need-of-aid-un-official-says/