The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab has been monitoring the ongoing conflict in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are engaged in active combat. Since the fighting resumed in April 2023, over 13 million people have been displaced, marking the largest displacement crisis globally. The region faces significant humanitarian challenges, including famine, disease outbreaks, and severe food shortages. Concerns have emerged about the potential for a repeat of the Darfur genocide, prompting international and humanitarian responses.

The Yale lab, led by Nathaniel Raymond and Kaveh Khoshnood, has provided data and analysis through satellite imagery and open-source information to inform international actions. This work has supported measures such as the U.N. Security Council’s Resolution 2736, which called for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid. The lab’s reports have been used by policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and international justice advocates to understand the scope of the crisis and prepare responses.

Reports from the lab have been shared with the U.S. Department of State’s Conflict Observatory, which tracks evidence of war crimes and humanitarian crises. The lab continues to document incidents and issue updates as the conflict progresses, contributing data aimed at preventing further violence and supporting international law. 

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To learn more, visit the Yale School of Public Health website.