The United Kingdom has pledged £5 million ($6.57 million) in fresh humanitarian aid to Sudan following “truly horrifying” accounts of atrocities by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their takeover of El-Fasher.
Engaged in conflict with the national army since April 2023, the RSF captured El-Fasher last Sunday, bringing down the army’s final bastion in western Darfur after an 18-month blockade marked by airstrikes and hunger.
“For too long, this terrible conflict has been neglected, while suffering has simply increased,” UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said during a conference in Bahrain.
The new emergency assistance, adding to the £120 million the UK committed to Sudan over the past year, includes £2 million for aiding survivors of sexual violence in El-Fasher.
“The reports from Darfur in recent days are truly horrifying,” said Cooper.
“Atrocities, mass executions, starvation and the devastating use of rape as a weapon of war, with women and children bearing the brunt of the largest humanitarian crisis in the 21st century.”
“UK diplomats continue to push all parties to cease hostilities to protect civilians to allow unhindered humanitarian access,” the foreign office said in a press release.
