In a brutal assault on famine-stricken camps in Darfur, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces have reportedly killed over 100 people, including children and aid workers, exacerbating the region's dire humanitarian crisis.

This latest onslaught by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 100 individuals and forced thousands to flee, underscores an escalating humanitarian disaster in Darfur, where 24.6 million people face acute hunger. The U.N. has condemned these attacks as 'unacceptable', further complicating efforts to deliver aid amid a funding crisis and rampant violence.

The RSF targeted the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps, where a combined total of more than 700,000 individuals are seeking shelter. The assault took place in an area already devastated by ongoing conflict, where communities struggle to survive amid extreme food shortages and insecurity.

As the RSF launched its offensive, the humanitarian situation worsened. The conflict in Sudan has caused tens of thousands of deaths and forcibly displaced approximately 12.7 million people. According to reports, nearly 25 million individuals across the country are now facing extreme hunger, making this crisis one of the most severe in the world.

U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing the latest attacks as 'yet another deadly and unacceptable escalation' in an already volatile environment. The U.N. has been calling for immediate ceasefire and effective humanitarian access to protect civilians deteriorating under these violent incidents.

In addition to the reported deaths from the recent attacks, a U.N. fact-finding mission earlier uncovered large-scale sexual violence attributed to the RSF in areas under its control. The findings have led to international condemnation, especially in light of a January determination by the United States that the RSF had committed genocide in these regions.

A March report by UNICEF has brought to light a series of shocking incidents, documenting over 200 cases of child rape this year alone. These revelations have raised alarm among human rights organizations and have drawn attention to the rampant violence and exploitation occurring amid the chaos of the conflict.

The humanitarian crisis is further aggravated by a significant funding shortage, worsened following a decision by former U.S. President Trump to enact a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid. Aid groups, already struggling to meet the needs of a population in crisis, face increased challenges as they attempt to coordinate relief efforts amidst the unfolding violence.

The Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps are among five areas in Sudan where famine has been detected according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). This has led to a severe need for food assistance and protection for the vulnerable populations living there, who are unable to find safe shelter because of the ongoing conflict.

In the context of these heightened tensions, the RSF's offensive also extended to the nearby city of el-Fasher. The assault led to the forced displacement of roughly 2,400 residents from the camps and the city, compounding the existing refugee crisis across Sudan as people flee violence and seek refuge.

The situation in Sudan continues to draw international attention, as calls for action grow louder in light of this escalating humanitarian crisis. The reports of violence by the RSF, including attacks on aid workers and rampant displacement, highlight the urgent need for a coordinated global response to the dire circumstances facing the country's civilians.