HAMILTON, Canada

The UN issued a warning on Monday about the "deepening" suffering of civilians in Sudan's Zamzam refugee camp amid fierce clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Citing the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said that the ongoing siege on the camp, outside the city of El Fasher, Sudan "is deepening the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians who are struggling to survive after months of famine."

"The crisis at the camp has worsened during Ramadan, with food shortages growing even more severe," Haq said during a press conference.

He also stressed that the "prices of basic goods have skyrocketed, making essential items unaffordable for most families."

Noting the UN partners' report on "signs of growing hunger," Haq said that armed attacks continue along the route between Zamzam and El Fasher, with multiple casualties and injuries reported.

"A partner at Zamzam warns that the presence of improvised explosive devices inside the camp is also an increasing concern," he added.

On Khartoum, Haq further shared OCHA's concerns about the deteriorating conditions.

"Local volunteer aid workers report severe malnutrition and critical shortages of medicines in the district of Sharg An Nil. They say malnutrition is widespread among children and pregnant women," he said.

Emphasizing that "the scale of suffering in Sudan is staggering," the UN sounded the alarm on "devastating" consequences for millions of civilians if there is no "swift intervention."

"We call once again for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver life-saving aid," Haq said.

The Sudanese army and RSF have been fighting a war since mid-April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, according to the UN and local authorities. Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000.

Calls by the international community and the UN for an end to the war are mounting, with warnings of an impending humanitarian catastrophe as millions face famine and death due to food shortages. The conflict has spread to 13 of Sudan’s 18 states.