The situation in Sudan’s West Darfur is increasingly violent, with thousands of people fleeing into Chad and seeking refuge. In the current conflict in Sudan, which began in April, the de-facto government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that grew out of the Janjaweed, have been vying for power, with much of the fighting centered on Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. However, now it is Darfur that’s facing catastrophe, reports NPR News.

The escalating violence has created a humanitarian crisis, prompting the United Nations to request access to the region and to provide urgent medical supplies, food aid and other essential aid. 

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, told Al Jazeera on Saturday, that Darfur is an area which is unable to be accessed due to significant fighting. She continues saying: “We urgently need to bring in our staff and ensure safe passage for our aid trucks to reach Darfur. It is crucial to establish security agreements for the safe movement of aid.”

The situation in Darfur has deteriorated drastically over the past two months, with the city of el-Geneina under siege. Adam Mohd Yousef, who has tragically lost 22 family members, including 15 children, revealed to Al Jazeera: “The Sudanese government didn’t help us. They see what is happening and just watch us burn,” he told Al Jazeera.

As the war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues, thousands of Sudanese refugees, including Yousef, are making their way into Chad to escape the violence. Humanitarian groups and international actors have described the situation in Darfur as particularly catastrophic. The UNHCR says there is not enough international interest in the crisis and that they are underfunded, Basravi said.

According to Basravi, the UNHCR has expressed concerns about the lack of international interest in the crisis and the inadequate funding they are receiving to address the escalating humanitarian needs.

It is deeply concerning the humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s West Darfur region. The conflict between the de-facto government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused immense suffering and displacement for the people of Darfur.

The United Nations’ request for access to the region and their efforts to provide urgent aid, including medical supplies, food assistance, and other essential support, are fundamental. It is crucial for the international community to prioritize the immediate needs of the Sudan population and provide necessary resources to alleviate their suffering. 

However, it is important to emphasize that addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and achieving sustainable peace requires more than just immediate humanitarian relief.

In 2003, Darfur experienced an outbreak of brutal ethnic violence. The Sudanese government deployed the Janjaweed Arab militia to put down an uprising by non-Arab groups. killing hundreds of thousands of people. this led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, with the international community widely condemning these events as a genocide. Although the war officially ended in 2020, sporadic incidents of violence have continued to occur since then, reports NPR News.

The presence of the Janjaweed Arab militia and the immense loss of life during the conflict have left a lasting impact on the region and its population.

As a short term solution it would be important to have international support in terms of funding, resources and diplomatic engagement. International actors can play a big role in providing assistance, monitoring human rights, supporting governance reforms, and facilitating dialogue and negotiations. 

Also, Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) can be a long term solution. Establish comprehensive DDR programs to disarm Janjaweed Arab combatants, support their reintegration into civilian life, and provide them with livelihood opportunities. Such programs should include skill-building, vocational training, and psychological support to facilitate the transition from conflict to peaceful participation in society.