The United Nations must dramatically increase its presence in Sudan as the conflict in Darfur intensifies, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said on Monday, warning that the scale of atrocities and the depth of suffering demand urgent global action. Speaking to reporters in New York City through a video link from Sudan, Fletcher delivered one of the strongest assessments yet of the crisis, describing Darfur as gripped by severe violence and widespread violations.
Fletcher said the UN must step out of its comfort zone and into the heart of the crisis if it hopes to protect civilians and deliver lifesaving assistance. He stated that the UN is a ship that was not built to stay in the harbor and insisted that the organisation should expand its footprint across Sudan rather than retreat in the face of insecurity. His latest visit, he explained, is part of a broader push to bring UN leadership closer to the people who depend on humanitarian aid for survival.
During his briefing, Fletcher described Darfur as a horror show in which countless civilians have been killed, displaced or subjected to abuses. He said that El Fasher, the last major city in North Darfur not entirely overrun by fighting, is effectively a crime scene based on testimonies from survivors and eyewitnesses. According to Fletcher, the UN has documented credible accounts of extreme violence, including attacks on populated areas and the targeting of entire communities.
His trip to Sudan was coordinated with other senior UN officials, including Amy Pope of the International Organization for Migration and Carl Skau of the World Food Programme. Fletcher said their presence in Sudan reflects a five to six week surge in high level engagement aimed at breaking bureaucratic barriers, expanding access routes, and ensuring that humanitarian operations are grounded in real time assessments rather than distant reporting.
While Darfur remains the epicenter of the crisis, Fletcher warned that the Kordofans must also be closely monitored. He said it is critical for the international community to investigate atrocities committed in El Fasher while simultaneously working to prevent new waves of violence in other regions. He stressed that the protection of civilians and the documentation of abuses should remain central priorities.
Humanitarian needs across Sudan continue to rise. Fletcher said that nearly two in every three people in the country now require assistance, an unprecedented figure in the region. The UN humanitarian appeal for Sudan stands at four billion dollars for the year 2025, yet only thirty two per cent of that amount has been funded so far. The shortfall, he warned, is creating situations where aid agencies must make brutal life and death choices about which communities receive food, medicine and shelter.
Despite facing significant operational challenges, Fletcher said the UN has made meaningful progress in securing access to El Fasher on UN terms. He emphasised that humanitarian assistance must remain neutral and must not be coopted by any armed group or political faction. He added that ensuring neutral access is essential for maintaining the trust of civilians and for safeguarding humanitarian workers.
Fletcher also pointed to a recent intensification of diplomatic efforts around Sudan. He suggested that a moment of opportunity may be emerging, driven by stronger regional and international pressure for the warring parties to allow aid delivery and to explore a path toward de escalation. He mentioned that his team has been in contact with a wide network of regional actors, including neighbouring countries and African Union partners.
On the issue of engagement with the Rapid Support Forces, Fletcher confirmed that he held discussions with General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti. Fletcher said he pressed General Hemedti and local RSF commanders for complete unhindered access and safe passage for humanitarian workers, as well as an immediate halt to atrocities against civilians. He described the level of impunity in Sudan as utterly unacceptable and urged all armed actors to comply with international humanitarian law.
Fletcher concluded by citing strong regional and international messaging, including firm statements from the White House and other global partners, insisting that all parties must grant humanitarian access and work to end the conflict. He warned that without bold action and sustained pressure, the suffering of civilians in Sudan will deepen, and the window for meaningful intervention may close.
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