The United Nations children's agency UNICEF has issued an urgent appeal for action to protect children amid escalating violence in Sudan's North Darfur region.

Expressing profound concern, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the intensifying violence in North Darfur, particularly in and around el-Fasher city.

Russell emphasized in a statement the critical need for a ceasefire, stressing the urgency of halting the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

She underscored the devastating impact of the ongoing fighting on Sudanese children, citing "deeply concerning reports of children being separated from their families or reportedly going missing." Of particular concern was the dire situation facing children in el-Fasher, where a significant military attack on the region, currently a focal point for humanitarian aid, loomed large.

The UNICEF official highlighted that the city shelters at least 500,000 people displaced by the fighting, warning that the well-being of approximately 750,000 children is in danger due to the current circumstances.

"More than 330,000 people are reportedly facing acute food insecurity in el-Fasher," Rusell indicated, stressing that escalating violence was driving the country toward conflict-induced famine.

"At the same time, a severe lack of humanitarian access and an inability to deliver commercial goods due to the insecurity have led to the scarcity of essential services and rocketing costs for water, food and fuel," she added.

She urged immediate action to prevent further loss of life, particularly among children and called on all warring parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and to ensure the safe passage of those seeking refuge in safer areas.

Presently, the Sudanese Armed Forces maintain control over el-Fasher, supported by armed groups that signed the Juba peace agreement with the government in 2020.

But United Nations officials have expressed "grave concern" over "increasingly alarming reports" about the escalating fighting in Sudan's North Darfur region, echoing warnings by US diplomats of an imminent attack on el-Fasher.

A "coordinated attack" on the city of el-Fasher "may be imminent," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson's office warned.

"An attack on the city would have devastating consequences for the civilian population. This escalation of tensions is in an area already on the brink of famine," the office said in a statement, reiterating previous calls from Guterres to avoid fighting there.

At least 43 people, including women and children, have been killed in fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 14, when the RSF began its advance toward el-Fasher, it said.

Until recently, el-Fasher -- the last Darfur state capital not under RSF control -- had been relatively unaffected by the fighting, hosting a large number of refugees.

But since mid-April, bombardments and clashes have been reported in the city and surrounding villages.

Read more: More than 13,000 people killed in Sudan during the year