Al-Fashir’s Last Soup Kitchens Shut Down amid Food Shortages
On July 25, the last functioning soup kitchens in Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur State in Sudan, closed their doors after distributing their final meal. Locally known as tekaya, these kitchens had become the last hope for thousands relying solely on them for survival. The final meal offered was “umbaz” fodder, typically used for livestock, signaling just how desperate the food situation has become.
According to Al-Rakoba newspaper, the decision to use animal feed was driven by the total collapse of food availability. Journalist Abdel Azim Qulou reported that the kitchens were left with no alternative as humanitarian and government assistance was absent. Volunteers on the ground are raising alarm over a looming humanitarian disaster, especially with more residents depending on these food centers each day.
Why Are Humanitarian Convoys Being Targeted in North Darfur?
The crisis intensified on June 3 when the Sudanese army attacked a United Nations convoy on its way to Al-Fashir. The convoy, operated by UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), was delivering essential food supplies to families on the brink of famine. Five aid workers were killed, several were injured, and numerous vehicles were destroyed.
A joint statement from UNICEF and WFP emphasized the urgency, warning that without new deliveries, hundreds of thousands in Al-Fashir face “high risk of malnutrition and starvation.” The “Al-Kuma Emergency Room” confirmed drone strikes from the Sudanese army on WFP trucks, killing six drivers and injuring four others. Local tribal leaders added that 17 trucks loaded with food were attacked by drones at around 12:30 a.m.
What Role Are Armed Forces Playing in the Civilian Crisis?
The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Accusations have emerged against the Sudanese army for using civilians as human shields. On July 25, the army declared it would not leave Al-Fashir “except over dead bodies,” further escalating tensions. Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their offensive to seize control of the city, replicating tactics seen in other contested regions of Sudan.
Amid the chaos, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), allied with the RSF, is urging international agencies to help deliver aid to suffering populations. Mujib al-Rahman Mohamed al-Zubair, head of the civilian authority in SLM-controlled areas, confirmed the group’s appeal to the global community to intervene before the humanitarian collapse becomes irreversible.
By Yockshard Enyendi
