UN Warns of Deepening Hunger Among Displaced Families in Sudan’s El Obeid

United Nations humanitarians have raised fresh alarm over rapidly deteriorating food insecurity among displaced families sheltering in camps in El Obeid, a major city in Sudan’s North Kordofan state. According to UN officials, more than 100,000 people who have fled ongoing conflict across the country are now living in the city under increasingly desperate conditions, with access to adequate food and basic services severely strained.

A City Under Strain

El Obeid has become one of several urban centres absorbing large numbers of Sudanese civilians uprooted by the war that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. The prolonged fighting has displaced millions of people, both within Sudan and across its borders, and has pushed large segments of the population into reliance on humanitarian assistance. UN agencies say that the concentration of newly arrived families in and around El Obeid is placing significant pressure on local markets, water supplies, and shelter.

Hunger and Limited Aid Access

Humanitarian workers on the ground have reported that many displaced households are unable to secure sufficient food, with prices for staple goods rising sharply amid disrupted supply chains. The challenges of reaching affected populations have been compounded by insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and bureaucratic obstacles that have slowed the delivery of relief supplies. Aid organisations have stressed that without a significant scaling up of assistance, the situation is likely to worsen in the coming weeks.

A Broader Crisis

Sudan’s conflict has triggered one of the largest displacement and hunger crises in the world, with aid agencies repeatedly warning of the risk of famine in several regions. The situation in El Obeid reflects a wider pattern of urban displacement, where families who initially fled rural fighting now find themselves in cities that are themselves struggling to cope. International donors have been urged to increase funding for the humanitarian response, while humanitarian groups continue to call for unimpeded access to those in need.

Looking Ahead

With no clear resolution to the conflict in sight, UN agencies have indicated that displacement figures are likely to continue rising, further intensifying the pressure on host communities. The warning from humanitarians underscores the urgency of coordinated international action to prevent a deeper catastrophe for civilians caught in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Source: AllAfrica — read the original report.