UN: Conflict Escalation in North Darfur Traps Civilians, Blocks Aid Delivery
A United Nations humanitarian agency said that the escalation of the conflict in North Darfur state in Sudan is trapping civilians and impeding the arrival of humanitarian aid.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed on Wednesday, its concern regarding the plight of thousands of civilians who have been cut off from aid in North Darfur, where local partners reported that there are at least 2,000 families trapped in Wadi Qardi and Um Saad in the Kereneuk and Um Barru areas.
On the other hand, the conflict is forcing civilians in the Kordofan region to flee. The International Organization for Migration estimates that approximately 3,000 people were displaced between January 15 and 19 from the cities of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan state, where some headed toward areas in White Nile state.
Famine has been confirmed in Kadugli, with Dilling facing similar levels of food insecurity, OCHA noted.
Local authorities and humanitarian partners in White Nile state reported that nearly 2,000 displaced people reached Kosti over the past three weeks, straining already overstretched services.
Since late October, about 19,500 people have fled from Kordofan to White Nile state.
OCHA Office called on all parties to immediately protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure rapid, safe, sustainable and unhindered access of humanitarian aid to those in need.
It pointed out that the United Nations and its partners are working to expand the scope of aid, including providing food rations, tents, mattresses, plastic covers and water, as well as sanitation and hygiene services, but critical gaps still remain due to lack of funding.
OCHA Office appealed for providing additional funding to enable partners in the humanitarian field to expand the scope of life-saving aid. In 2026, the United Nations and its partners in Sudan are calling for allocating USD2.9 billion to finance the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan to reach more than 20 million people in need.
