The massacre in the Sudanese town of El Fasher has led to more people fleeing Sudan’s civil war, worsening South Sudan’s refugee crisis, according to Christian Aid.
Media reports and satellite images confirmed mass killings in El Fasher in the Darfur region on October 27, 2025, after the Sudanese militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed control of the town from the Sudanese army. Approximately 460 people were shot dead in a horrific attack by the RSF at a hospital in El Fasher. Thousands more fled the city, joining millions of refugees fleeing conflict.
Following the capture of the town and the withdrawal of Sudanese troops, Christian Aid has recorded a surge in refugees arriving, including returnees who fled South Sudan’s own civil war many years ago. James Wani, country director for Christian Aid in South Sudan, says the regional crisis requires increased international attention.
“More than one million returnees and refugees have actually reached South Sudan since the conflict began,” Wani said in an interview with Christian Daily International.
He added that there has been an influx of refugees at the Sudan-South Sudan border in the three days since October 27, which is directly related to the escalation of conflict in Sudan and the recent fall of El Fasher to the RSF.
“Horrifying stories are coming out of it. In northern Bahr el Ghazal, there is also hope that the onslaught will bring in more people because that is the closest point of entry,” Wani said.
Resources are stretched beyond capacity
Millions of people have been displaced since Sudan’s civil war began in 2023, taking refuge in neighboring countries such as Ethiopia, Chad and South Sudan.
The United Nations estimates that more than 11 million people are displaced, including 8.6 million internally displaced persons and more than 3 million refugees, making Sudan the site of the world’s largest displacement crisis.
Mr Wani said Christian Aid’s transport facility in Lenk was already well beyond its capacity, and that capacity would increase further in the coming days.
“Our transit facility accommodates about 12,000 people. This is a facility intended to accommodate about 4,000 people. So it’s really overflowing,” he said.
“There are concerns about shelter, food and protection. You can imagine the protection nightmare for young and vulnerable girls,” he said. “This is a really big challenge in terms of access to clean water and sanitation.”
Mr. Wani emphasized the region’s call for support from people of good will to help displaced people in the region.
“We sincerely ask all people of good will to stand in solidarity with South Sudan, pray for us and extend all possible material support to help us address challenges such as food insecurity, shelter issues, protection challenges, access to clean water, and transportation support into the country,” Wani said.
Through our Sudan Crisis Appeal, Christian Aid has provided emergency cash assistance to refugees through our local partner Human Coalition (CH) and actively engaged communities in gender-based violence (GBV) awareness and prevention efforts, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Meanwhile, the United Nations condemned the recent massacres in Sudan as horrific. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the RSF to take urgent steps to end and prevent abuses against civilians.
“We remind RSF commanders of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians and the passage of essential supplies and humanitarian aid, a commitment that they recommitted just a few days ago,” he said in a statement.
