“Dead bodies everywhere”: Plan International staff describe humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher

Plan International staff responding on the ground to the catastrophe in El Fasher – who have been anonymized to protect their identities - said:  

“The situation on the roads is terrible with dead bodies everywhere. Others are also wounded – mostly gunshot wounds - and are unable to get the help they need. 

“Many of the families we are meeting and speaking to have not had access to food for over a year now and with the walking, are arriving in dire conditions. 

“A lot of them are arriving injured, with gunshot wounds and exhausted from carrying their loved ones for days. It’s been hardest for women, children and people with disabilities.

“Many [families] are unrecognisable. After months of struggling to access food and water and now having to walk for days to flee the conflict, they are too tired and hungry. Unless they call your name, you cannot recognize them at all.” 

“It is heartbreaking to see them falling immediately when they arrive at the camps. We are forced to rush many directly to hospital first before they are registered in the camps.”

Plan International staff also said:

“As staff, we also have some of our family members affected by this crisis in El Fasher. Some are arriving safely. Others we still don’t know where they are.

“One of our colleagues has their father and brother abducted. We still don’t know their fate. It’s been a difficult few days for many.

“Men and boys are at particular risk of kidnapping, detention, summary executions and torture.”

Around 260,000 people remain trapped in El Fasher with reports on the ground suggesting most of the civilians in the city are choosing to stay put in the city for fear of death while fleeing the violence.

Plan International’s CEO Reena Ghelani said: 

“We are horrified by the numerous reports of systematic targeting and killings of hundreds of civilians and humanitarian responders in El Fasher. The brutality of the siege that has led to starvation, the denial of access to humanitarian aid and the deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers, and other violations is just too much. All warring parties should immediately commit to a ceasefire as the only way to save lives.” 

Plan International is scaling up its response to provide lifesaving food, dignity kits for girls and protection services to unaccompanied children as well as support for survivors of gender-based violence. They are also establishing child-friendly spaces to accommodate the influx of children and especially those unaccompanied.