Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm at the evolving situation in El Fasher in North Darfur, Sudan, where fierce fighting in the famine-stricken area has been reported, his deputy spokesperson said late Sunday.
Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces and elements of the Armed Struggle Movements in El Fasher have left civilians in the crossfire of a conflict that was triggered in April 2023 by rival militaries.
"These clashes have devastating consequences for the civilian population," Farhan Haq said in a statement.
"The fighting will also further exacerbate humanitarian needs in and around El Fasher at a time when famine conditions have been confirmed in Zamzam camp south of El Fasher and is likely prevailing in other displacement sites in the city."
The global food monitoring initiative, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), had announced famine conditions in the camp on 1 August.
