UN News Today 11 November 2025 |

Sudan war: Women endure starvation, rape and bombs while fleeing El Fasher

In war-torn Sudan, rape is likely being used as a weapon of war and simply being a woman there is “a strong predictor” of hunger, violence and death, UN Women warned on Tuesday.

In an update, the gender equality agency’s Anna Mutavati shared harrowing testimonies from women who had fled El Fasher, which has just fallen to paramilitary fighters after a 500-day siege.

Ms. Mutavati noted that the situation is worsening dramatically in El Fasher as fighting spreads around the city, prompting mass displacement:

“They’ve endured starvation, they’ve endured displacement, rape and bombardment. Pregnant women have given birth in the streets as the last remaining maternity hospitals were looted and destroyed…There is mounting evidence that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war.”

Fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rebel Rapid Support Forces when a transition to civilian rule broke down, stemming from the overthrow of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir four years earlier.

The ensuing heavy fighting has devastated communities, displaced millions and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Thousands of women and girls have now fled to other localities in North Darfur including Tawila, which is some 70 kilometres away, as well as Korma and Malit, where there’s hardly any humanitarian support.

Gaza: vaccination campaign begins as immunisation rate drops below critical threshold: UNICEF

In Gaza, a catch-up immunisation, nutrition and health campaign is underway to reach over 40,000 children under three who have missed routine vaccines due to two years of conflict.

UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, warned on Tuesday that vaccination rates in the enclave have fallen below 70 per cent – a key threshold for keeping preventable diseases at bay.

The campaign has already reached thousands of children after beginning at the weekend. It will be conducted in three rounds: this month, December and January.

With more, here’s UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires:

“Before the war, Gaza had 98 per cent vaccination coverage and 55 immunization sites; now coverage has fallen below 70 per cent with 31 vaccination facilities destroyed or damaged.”

As a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza, Mr. Pires explained that the biggest problem is delivering essential medical equipment into the Strip which is essential for the campaign’s success.

This includes 1.6 million syringes but the vast majority are still outside the enclave, UNICEF’s Mr. Pires said.

Lending initiative boosts vulnerable food producers’ access to credit: FAO

A UN-backed lending initiative is underway, aimed at helping small-scale farmers and producers from the Sahara and beyond, who are held back by the difficulty they often face securing business loans.

Announcing the news on Tuesday, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explained that growers face barriers in accessing funds because the sector is perceived to be riskier than others, because of its exposure to climate shocks and price volatility.

But thanks to the European Union which is providing guarantees to the tune of 109.5 million euros, Italian public development bank CDP will now give credit to approved lenders operating in Africa and Türkiye.

The FAO’s role is to provide technical expertise in food, agriculture and finance for the programme’s local lenders.

“Knowledge is the best de-risking instrument,” said the UN agency’s chief, Qu Dongyu.

Daniel Johnson, UN News.