UN: North Darfur ‘catastrophic’ as tens of thousands flee, rights office urges probe of alleged abuses
October 31, 2025 | United Nations, Federal
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The UN spokesperson said North Darfur State remains "catastrophic," citing reports that Al Fasha is cut off, telecommunications are down and desperate people are fleeing toward Tawela and other towns with little of their belongings.
"We call again for securing a safe passage for people trying to flee, protecting those who remain in Al Fasha and full and unimpeded humanitarian access across Darfur and all other areas in need in Sudan," the UN spokesperson said.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that at least 62,000 people were displaced from El Farsha and surrounding areas between Oct. 26 and Oct. 29, the spokesperson said, and insecurity along roads continues to restrict movement. Humanitarian partners reported acute gaps in shelter materials, medicines, trauma care supplies, food assistance and psychosocial support for arrivals registered in Tawela.
The briefing cited allegations of serious violations during the RSF capture of Barra Town in North Kordofan, including an alleged summary execution of five Red Crescent volunteers and reports that at least 25 women were gang-raped in a shelter near El Fasha hospital. The UN human rights colleagues have described these as potentially amounting to numerous crimes under international law, and the spokesperson echoed the call for a "prompt and transparent and thorough investigation" and said victims and families must have access to truth, justice and reparations.
The spokesperson said humanitarian access remains the immediate priority and that the UN is working with local partners on registration and emergency support for new arrivals, but that the chaotic security situation on the ground and the communications blackout make independent verification and fuller situational awareness difficult.
Background: the spokesperson identified IOM and the Human Rights Office as sources for displacement and alleged-abuse figures. The briefing did not provide an official, confirmed death toll for El Fasha; the spokesperson said only that access is currently absent and figures remain estimates.
"We call again for securing a safe passage for people trying to flee, protecting those who remain in Al Fasha and full and unimpeded humanitarian access across Darfur and all other areas in need in Sudan," the UN spokesperson said.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that at least 62,000 people were displaced from El Farsha and surrounding areas between Oct. 26 and Oct. 29, the spokesperson said, and insecurity along roads continues to restrict movement. Humanitarian partners reported acute gaps in shelter materials, medicines, trauma care supplies, food assistance and psychosocial support for arrivals registered in Tawela.
The briefing cited allegations of serious violations during the RSF capture of Barra Town in North Kordofan, including an alleged summary execution of five Red Crescent volunteers and reports that at least 25 women were gang-raped in a shelter near El Fasha hospital. The UN human rights colleagues have described these as potentially amounting to numerous crimes under international law, and the spokesperson echoed the call for a "prompt and transparent and thorough investigation" and said victims and families must have access to truth, justice and reparations.
The spokesperson said humanitarian access remains the immediate priority and that the UN is working with local partners on registration and emergency support for new arrivals, but that the chaotic security situation on the ground and the communications blackout make independent verification and fuller situational awareness difficult.
Background: the spokesperson identified IOM and the Human Rights Office as sources for displacement and alleged-abuse figures. The briefing did not provide an official, confirmed death toll for El Fasha; the spokesperson said only that access is currently absent and figures remain estimates.
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