Sudan's al-Obeid faces escalating humanitarian catastrophe

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned the UN Human Rights Council that civilians in al‑Obeid, North Kordofan, have endured siege‑like conditions for 18 months, with critical water shortages and relentless drone strikes. Between 6‑28 June, the UN recorded at least 45 civilian deaths and 41 injuries from 15 drone attacks as Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces battle for control around the city. Britain called the urgent debate, urging the international community to act.

Humanitarian groups responded, with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Sudan Red Crescent Society providing food aid to more than 42,000 people, nutritional supplements for over 7,000 children and pregnant or lactating women, and medical support for hundreds of wounded patients. The ICRC also reinforced emergency health services, hygiene promotion, cholera prevention and borehole drilling to restore water access.

The combined warnings and aid highlights a deepening crisis that could expand into larger atrocities if hostilities are not restrained.