UN Warns of Rapid Deterioration of Humanitarian Situation in El Obeid

El Obeid – 18 July 2026: The humanitarian situation in El Obeid, in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, is deteriorating rapidly, according to the United Nations World Food Programme. More and more people are fleeing to the city, which is already hosting large numbers of internally displaced people. This is increasing the need for food and putting pressure on supply systems that were already severely overstretched before the new wave of displacement.

The World Food Programme said on 17 July that El Obeid is now hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people. As a result, the city’s population may have nearly doubled. Camps for displaced families are overcrowded, with more people arriving daily from Kordofan and, in some cases, Darfur. Food, fuel and water are available only in limited quantities.

The drinking water supply is particularly critical. Recurrent power outages are disrupting water distribution, according to the UN, and worsening the shortage of clean water. At the same time, more than 30 new cholera cases have been recorded. This further increases the risk of malnutrition and disease for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

In the districts of Sheikan, which includes El Obeid, as well as Bara and West Bara, nearly 400,000 people are facing an acute food crisis at level four out of five, according to the World Food Programme. They need immediate assistance to prevent hunger-related deaths. The UN programme says it is providing more than 100,000 people in El Obeid with food and, in some cases, cash assistance.

However, due to a lack of funding, many affected people are receiving only half of their intended rations. Families often share these already scarce food supplies with other people in need. According to its own account, the World Food Programme transports around 200 tonnes of food daily from its partners’ warehouses to distribution points. Supplies have been prepared to expand assistance to more than 250,000 people, if the security situation permits.

Fighting, drone attacks and general insecurity are restricting the freedom of movement of aid organisations. In June, around 200,000 people were unable to receive life-saving support because of active hostilities, according to the UN. The United Nations and the European Union are calling on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and aid deliveries, and to enable safe humanitarian access.

The World Food Programme also warns of a nationwide funding crisis. Its food stocks for Sudan could be severely depleted in September 2026 and completely exhausted in October. According to the organisation, it needs US$646 million for the period from June to November to reach 8.5 million people with life-saving assistance and support food production.