WFP warehouse affected
The UN World Food Program (WFP) warehouse in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, was also hit by suspected rockets, significantly damaging buildings and mobile storage units.
Drone attacks have also been reported in other parts of the states of South Kordofan, North Kordofan and West Kordofan in recent days, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York.
Attacks have occurred near key supply routes linking the town of El Obeid in North Kordofan with Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, and this is putting civilians, including humanitarian workers, at risk.
It is not a goal
“The fact that we have to reiterate almost every day that civilians and civilian infrastructure, places of worship, schools and hospitals cannot and should not be attacked is a tragedy in itself.“, said.
“However, we have to remind the parties of this almost every day and that they must respect international humanitarian law.”
Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people.
The war between the national army and former allies turned rivals, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which broke out in April 2023, has caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with some 30 million people in need of assistance.
Aid convoy advance
Dujarric said a multi-UN agency convoy consisting of 41 trucks carrying almost 800 metric tons of food and other essential supplies left El Obeid for Kadugli on Tuesday, marking significant progress on a previously closed route.
In South Kordofan, humanitarian workers have distributed nearly 600 metric tons of food to nearly 70,000 people, but the continued arrival of families fleeing their homes is depleting the limited supplies available.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 115,000 people have been displaced throughout the Kordofan region since the end of October.
Diplomatic concern
The UN and four other organizations working to promote political dialogue in Sudan expressed serious concern about the continued escalation of the conflict in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The Quintet – comprising the African Union (AU), the East African bloc IGAD, the League of Arab States (LAS), the European Union (EU) and the UN – expressed particular alarm at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Kordofan region and Blue Nile State.
The statement highlighted the urgent need for action, citing:
• Deadly drone attacks and increasingly strict sieges around population centers
• Attacks on hospitals, schools and humanitarian assets
• Widespread displacement and severe limitations on humanitarian access
• Direct attacks on humanitarian aid convoys
Protect civilians, allow access to aid
The Quintet recalled the horrors that occurred in El Fasher, capital of the state of North Darfur, “and the repeated warnings issued before those atrocities that went unheeded and with devastating consequences for civilians.”
The city was besieged by the RSF for more than a year during which crimes such as rape, executions, mass murders and attacks on displaced people were committed.
“The Quintet insists that civilians must no longer bear the cost of ongoing hostilities”the statement said.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, international humanitarian law respected and safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas in need ensured.”
Ramadan supplication
The partners also emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and stop the flow of weapons and fighters sustaining the violence.
Ahead of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, they urged all concerned to “a Seize the opportunity presented by ongoing efforts to negotiate a humanitarian truce. and immediately reduce hostilities, to prevent further loss of life and allow for life-saving assistance.”