In brief
Through personal video messages, three individuals from El-Fasher—Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel—share their experiences of loss, resilience, and fear while combatting hunger and violence in the war-torn city, highlighting the immense humanitarian crisis unfolding amid the ongoing conflict.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has laid siege to El-Fasher, turning it into a landscape of grief, violence, and immense human suffering. As the conflict rages on, the city remains largely isolated from the outside world due to relentless bombardment and military control since the outbreak of hostilities two years ago. Recent undercover reporting by the BBC has allowed a rare glimpse into the lives of those trapped within its walls through video messages sent from three residents—a reflection of their daily struggles amidst this humanitarian crisis.Twenty-one-year-old Hafiza recounts the devastating loss of her mother, killed in a shelling incident while working in a market last August. With her father deceased prior to the war, Hafiza now assumes the role of caregiver for her younger brother and sisters. The grim reality of navigating a city under siege, where basic necessities like food and clean water are almost impossible to secure, weighs heavily on her. Despite her grief, she seeks to bring some relief to the displaced by volunteering to distribute food and blankets.Mostafa, 32, graphically conveys the continuous barrage of artillery fire that surrounds him, claiming no corner of El-Fasher is safe. His home was recently struck; looters ravaged what little remained. Through his recordings, he provides a visceral testimony of the violent atmosphere permeating the city—a condition echoed by fellow resident Manahel, who volunteers to prepare meals for the displaced. The young law graduate experienced her father's tragic death at the hands of RSF artillery and fled with her mother and siblings, only to find that the security of their new shelter was just as precarious. As she strives to provide for others amid escalating prices and an impending famine, the haunting memories of loss linger. "Every family is equal now—there is no rich or poor," Manahel notes, as families struggle to meet basic needs.With the UN estimating significant casualties and warning of famine, the urgency to alleviate suffering is critical. Both Hafiza and Manahel express fears of sexual violence should the RSF gain complete control, an anxiety borne from the ethnic violence and atrocities reported from other regions like El-Geneina.During a BBC visit to El-Geneina in December 2024, civilians contrasted sharply with the government’s narrative—branded as exaggerated by local authorities amid a backdrop of patrolling RSF fighters. This stark discrepancy highlights the complicated dynamics of power, safety, and survival in a war-ravaged nation where many avoid scrutiny for fear of reprisals.Ultimately, the personal accounts of Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel illuminate the deep-seated struggles faced by ordinary citizens in El-Fasher. With each passing day under siege, they openly question their fates and the possibility of returning home. Their stories underline an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where millions remain displaced or trapped in violence as they cling to hope in a time of despair.
