EU Warns of “Catastrophic” Humanitarian Crisis as Sudan Conflict Deepens

EU Warns of “Catastrophic” Humanitarian Crisis as Sudan Conflict Deepens
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The European Union on Tuesday cautioned that Sudan is confronting a “catastrophic” humanitarian emergency and urged all warring parties to allow unrestricted aid access and return to negotiations for an immediate ceasefire, Middle East Monitor reported. Speaking at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, EU Commissioner for Equality and acting Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said hunger, malnutrition, and disease are spreading rapidly, while violations of international humanitarian law persist.

Lahbib highlighted the worsening situation in Darfur and Kordofan, referencing what she described as “horrific attacks” last month by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their capture of El-Fasher and Bara. She said thousands of civilians in El-Fasher were killed in ethnically targeted violence that included house raids and mass detentions, leaving many residents trapped inside the city. She added that the RSF continues to obstruct humanitarian operations, further limiting aid delivery.

According to Lahbib, more than 120 aid workers have been killed since the conflict erupted in April 2023, making Sudan one of the world’s most dangerous countries for humanitarian personnel. The latest UN-backed food security assessment indicates that 21 million people face severe food shortages, while bureaucratic restrictions continue to hinder relief efforts.

The commissioner noted recent EU sanctions against RSF deputy commander Abdelrahim Dagalo for human rights abuses and emphasized the need for diplomatic coordination with regional partners, including Kuwait, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the US, and Türkiye. Separately, the EU and African Union jointly condemned RSF atrocities following their takeover of El-Fasher and called for an immediate end to the conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced millions.