Seven people were killed and dozens injured in a recent airstrike on a funeral gathering in West Kordofan, highlighting the rising civilian toll in Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The airstrike, which occurred in the Nuba Mountains, follows a previous drone attack on the Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, that resulted in 70 deaths on March 20. The war, which began in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and the Sudanese Armed Forces, has had alarming consequences for civilians.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the heightened insecurity is displacing families in West Kordofan. In neighboring South Kordofan, drone strikes and attacks in the town of Dilling have caused three deaths and are reported to be causing the humanitarian situation to rapidly deteriorate. The continued fighting and repeated drone strikes are also disrupting critical supply routes across the Kordofan region, making it increasingly unsafe for humanitarian and commercial supplies to reach the affected areas.
Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, noted that “red tape is further compounding these challenges, “with essential medical activities in El Obeid suspended for nearly one month. In Darfur, increasing insecurity and restrictions on humanitarian movements are limiting access to aid workers, who face armed robberies and attacks along key routes. Some organizations have been forced to suspend operations, leaving vulnerable populations with fewer services.
Escalating hostilities near the border with Ethiopia in Blue Nile State have severely constrained humanitarian operations, with movement beyond the state capital of Ed Damazine largely suspended. This has cut off access to people in need, with more than 1,600 people displaced in the Blue Nile State locality of Geisan in recent days.
Despite these challenges, the UN and its partners continue to respond to needs across Sudan. The UN’s humanitarian relief coordinator, OCHA, reiterates that civilians must be protected at all times, as required by international humanitarian law. “Attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure must stop, “Mr.
Dujarric told journalists at the noon briefing on Monday. “We reiterate that all parties must ensure rapid, safe, unhindered, and unimpeded humanitarian access, including all key routes and anywhere aid is needed.”.
