Hunger deepens for displaced families in Sudan’s El Obeid
Food Shortages Intensify for Sudanese Displaced Communities in El Obeid
Urgent Needs Grow as Camps Reach Capacity
Hunger deepens for displaced families in Sudan - United Nations relief workers operating in the conflict-ravaged nation of Sudan drew attention on Friday to escalating demands among the swelling population of displaced residents currently housed in temporary settlements within El Obeid. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated rapidly, with more than one hundred thousand individuals now seeking refuge in these urban camps, creating mounting pressure on existing support systems and resources.
Abdallah Alwardat, who serves as the Sudan Country Director for the World Food Programme, emphasized the difficult circumstances facing aid recipients. He explained that even the diminished food allocations being distributed are being divided among extended family networks. "We are providing even not the full food ration to the people, but even that reduced food ration is being shared by the recipients with other families, because they know that they don't have any other source of income," he stated during his remarks.
On-the-Ground Assessment Reveals Widespread Hardship
Speaking to reporters through a video connection from Kosti, a city located south of the capital Khartoum, Mr. Alwardat shared observations from his recent visit to El Obeid. His assessment came shortly after UN human rights chief Volker Türk issued warnings about the prolonged siege affecting civilians in the region. According to the UN human rights representative, residents have endured eighteen months of continuous hardship, including persistent drone attacks and the looming threat of paramilitary offensive operations.
The WFP official noted that while the agency currently supports over one hundred thousand people within the city's camps, the actual number of displaced individuals requiring help is considerably higher. "WFP has been providing food assistance to over 100,000 people in these camps inside the city", but there are many more displaced individuals sheltering in El Obeid "and they need urgent assistance", the WFP official said. This gap between current coverage and total need underscores the urgency of expanding humanitarian operations.
Planning for Expanded Operations
Looking ahead, Mr. Alwardat stressed the importance of strategic planning to accommodate growth in the displaced population. "What we need to do is really now to plan for the scale-up beyond the 100,000 people that we have been supporting," he emphasized. Beyond general food distribution, the agency also delivers nutritional support to seventeen thousand children affected by the ongoing crisis who reside within the camps.
During his travels, the experienced humanitarian encountered deeply moving personal stories that illustrate the daily struggles of displaced families. He recounted meeting an elderly woman whose survival depended entirely on UN food rations, though these provisions represented only one aspect of her challenges. "She was waiting to receive the food and she was just thinking how to carry the food back to her tent," he described. The woman attempted to transport her supplies using a small tuk-tuk, visiting neighboring households to negotiate shared transportation costs.
Context of the Ongoing Conflict
The current humanitarian emergency stems from a brutal military confrontation that began more than three years ago. This conflict erupted following the breakdown of Sudan's transition toward civilian governance, which occurred after the removal of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir. The Sudanese Armed Forces continues its struggle against the Rapid Support Forces militia, former allies now competing for dominance across the vast nation.
The human toll has been staggering, with over fourteen million people displaced from their homes. Both warring factions have been associated with serious human rights violations. Millions have crossed international borders, creating what is now recognized as the world's largest displacement emergency and one of its most severe humanitarian catastrophes. Nearly twenty million Sudanese citizens are currently classified as experiencing acute food insecurity, with the WFP assisting between three and five million of the most vulnerable populations facing emergency or catastrophic conditions.
Operational Challenges and Resource Constraints
Despite these challenges, Mr. Alwardat expressed confidence in the agency's ability to maintain operations. "We want to do more, for sure. But of course, we are also stretched on our resources," he acknowledged. "But definitely, we have the access. We can deliver the food, and we can be there, and we can work with partners on the ground. Resources are limiting us to do that one."
During his journey from Kosti to El Obeid, covering approximately three hundred fifty to four hundred kilometers, the WFP director observed minimal military activity along the route. However, he noted a concerning lack of commercial trucks and supplies entering the city, where food, water, and fuel remain critically scarce. The WFP mission in the North Kordofan capital has been working to mitigate fuel shortages that have recently hindered aid partners from reaching displaced populations.
"As long as we have the necessary financial support, I think we have the means and the capacity to sustain that lifeline," Mr. Alwardat affirmed. He reported that over the past two or three weeks, the agency successfully delivered both current distributions and pre-positioned supplies covering the next two months. Distribution for July has already commenced, and preparations for August are underway.