Overview of the El Fasher Displacement Situation
The fourth Situation Report for El Fasher, issued on December 18, 2025, underscores a continuation of a deeply entrenched displacement crisis driven by ongoing conflict, insecurity, and limited access to essential services. As humanitarian actors document the needs of residents and newly displaced families, the report emphasizes the urgency of scaled-up protection, shelter, water, sanitation, and health interventions to avert further deterioration in living conditions.
Scale and Trends of Displacement
Since the escalation of conflict in 2023, El Fasher has absorbed a growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and hosted families seeking refuge within camp-like settlements and urban neighborhoods. The December briefing notes that displacement dynamics are shaped by episodic violence, forced returns, and movement restrictions that hinder livelihoods and access to humanitarian assistance. With a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line, even small shocks—such as healthcare shortages or price spikes—translate into heightened vulnerability.
Key Protection Risks
Protection concerns remain central in El Fasher’s displacement landscape. The report highlights risks including gender-based violence, child protection gaps, famines of essential services, and restrictions on movement that can trap vulnerable households in cycles of dependence. Protection actors report that many households lack formal documentation, complicating access to aid and legal protections. The situation calls for reinforced community-based protection mechanisms, safe reporting channels, and robust collaboration with local authorities to ensure the safety and dignity of displaced families.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Needs
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a continuing challenge in many displacement sites. The report stresses the need for functional water points, reliable fuel supplies for pumping facilities, and waste management to prevent disease outbreaks. In crowded settlements, diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections remain major health risks, making WASH programming a top priority for relief agencies alongside nutrition and primary healthcare services.
Shelter, Food, and Essential Services
Many displaced households rely on makeshift shelters or temporary community structures. The Situation Report #4 calls for rapid shelter upgrades, winterized accommodations where temperatures drop, and protection from extreme weather conditions. Food insecurity persists, with vulnerable families depending on aid distributions, informal markets, and cash-based assistance where possible. Access to healthcare, education, and psychosocial support is essential to stabilize families and protect children from long-term developmental impacts.
Humanitarian Coordination and Response Gaps
Responders emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts among UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and community leaders. The December briefing identifies gaps in funding, supply chain bottlenecks, and limited coverage of remote or hard-to-reach communities. A prioritized response plan is outlined, focusing on life-saving interventions, protection services, and the continuity of essential health and nutrition programs. The report also calls for improved data collection to better track displacement trends and tailor interventions to evolving needs.
What This Means for Aid Access and Policy
For donors and policymakers, the El Fasher Situation Report #4 highlights several actionable priorities: scale up shelter and WASH services, expand protection programming, ensure ongoing healthcare access, and maintain uninterrupted food assistance. Strengthening local capacity, improving supply routes, and fostering community resilience are essential to reduce the reliance on emergency relief over time. The report serves as a critical benchmark for monitoring progress and directing resources where they will have the greatest impact on civilians living in displacement conditions.
How Communities Are Coping
Despite the daunting challenges, communities in El Fasher display resilience through collective support networks, local adaptation strategies, and small-scale livelihoods. Education continuity efforts, mental health initiatives, and social protection measures help protect children and vulnerable adults amid ongoing uncertainty. As the humanitarian response evolves, the voices of affected families remain central to shaping programs that respect dignity, safety, and the right to safe living conditions.
