Fighting escalates in Sudan’s Kordofan region
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Alarmed by intensifying violence in the greater Kordofan region of Sudan and the growing humanitarian impact of the fighting, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday that air strikes have reportedly hit residential areas of Al Obeid city, North Kordofan state, in recent days, injuring civilians.
OCHA also reports that conflict in the Kordofan region continues to hinder aid operations, leaving many people in need out of reach. Ongoing battles have brought the fighting closer to critical pastoral routes, which herders use to move their livestock.
The humanitarian situation elsewhere in the country also remains dire. In Northern state, partners report that nearly 6,000 people newly displaced from North Darfur – many of them older, wounded or suffering from chronic diseases – arrived in Ad Dabbah locality during the last two weeks of May. They urgently need healthcare, safe drinking water and protection services, including support for survivors of gender-based violence.
In Khartoum state, OCHA reported that cholera remains a threat, despite recent progress in the response by the UN, its partners and local authorities.
More than 1,300 new cases were recorded by health authorities there between 26 May and 1 June, down from 7,000 the previous week. While the fatality rate has declined, partners warn that under-reporting may be masking the true scale of the outbreak.
Partners estimate that US$40 million is urgently needed to rehabilitate water infrastructure in Khartoum state and prevent a cholera resurgence, especially with the onset of the rainy season this month and increased movement of people after Eid al Adha holidays.
OCHA also reports that while displacement remains staggering, there has been a slight decline in the overall number of people uprooted by the conflict.
According to the International Organization for Migration, some 10 million people were internally displaced as of the end of May – down from 11.6 million in January. This reduction is attributed to people returning, particularly to Khartoum, Sennar and Aj Jazirah states.
Since December, about 1.2 million internally displaced people have returned to their areas of origin — a nearly 90 per cent increase since April. The majority returned to Aj Jazirah, followed by Sennar and Khartoum states. Basic services remain very limited in these areas, and returnees will require significant support.
OCHA once again called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and unimpeded humanitarian access across conflict lines and borders. In addition, greater national and international support is urgently required to scale up the response and meet rising needs across Sudan.
-0- PANA AR/MA 11June2025
