UN renews civilian protection plea amid Sudan violence
The United Nations has once again urged warring parties in Sudan to protect civilians as fighting continues to take a heavy toll on the population. The renewed call on Wednesday comes in the wake of violence in two states – Blue Nile and North Kordofan – as rival militaries remain locked in their brutal struggle for power, UN News reported.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and former allies the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in April 2023, sparking the world's largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.
Continued attacks in North Kordofan
Multiple waves of drone strikes were reported on Wednesday across El Obeid, the North Kordofan capital, according to the latest update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). They came "at a time when continuing attacks and insecurity in northern parts of the state are driving further displacement into the city," the agency said.
Humanitarian partners estimated that roughly 15,000 families have been displaced to El Obeid over the past three weeks, and the continued influx is putting greater pressure on displacement sites and basic services that are already overstretched.
Separately, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 200,000 people have been displaced across Sudan's Kordofan region since the end of 2025. Displacement in Sheikan locality, which includes El Obeid, has risen by 25% over the past eight months, according to the agency.
In a statement published on Monday, IOM warned that Sudan's humanitarian crisis is worsening as conflict, infrastructure damage and flooding compound the suffering. IOM Director General Amy Pope said "the warning signs are impossible to ignore" as families flee violence and lose access to water, electricity and healthcare. She warned that "without urgent action to protect civilians and restore essential services, the suffering will deepen."
Fighting and drone strikes have also disrupted essential services. Recent attacks damaged El Obeid's main electrical transformer, causing prolonged power cuts that disrupted water supplies, healthcare and communications. The IOM described the humanitarian situation as "catastrophic", with heavy seasonal rains further worsening conditions.
Deadly clashes in Blue Nile
Meanwhile, local sources in Blue Nile state reported that more than 20 civilians were killed, and many others injured, in clashes in Geisan town on Tuesday. Some 2,500 people were also forced to flee their homes according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
OCHA reiterated its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to allow aid to reach people quickly, safely and without obstruction. The UN agency also urged donors to provide additional funding for humanitarian operations in Sudan. This year's appeal for nearly $3 billion remains about 41% funded, with $1.2 billion received to date.
Healthcare system under pressure
The World Health Organization (WHO) says 37% of Sudan's health facilities are out of service because of attacks, destruction, staff and medicine shortages, and disrupted power, water and supply chains. The WHO has documented 217 attacks on healthcare since the war began in April 2023, killing 2,052 people and injuring 810.
Around 21 million people currently lack access to the healthcare they need, while more than four million face the risk of severe malnutrition this year.
Thousands flee Nuba Mountains
In South Kordofan state, 17,340 people have fled to Ambong district in the Nuba Mountains following recent fighting in Kauda and other parts of Heiban locality, according to local authority reports. Acting Ambong governor Abdelmajed Hassan Mari said authorities had established two shelters and were preparing an existing camp to accommodate incoming displaced families. He appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance, including shelter materials, drinking water, healthcare and sanitation supplies, and warned that the rainy season is increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.