Statement from the Operational Humanitarian Country Team in Sudan on violence in the Kordofan region

The humanitarian community in Sudan condemns in the strongest terms the escalating violence across the Kordofan region and the ongoing sieges that have cut off multiple cities.

We are deeply concerned by continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. The violence is restricting access to food, medicine and essential supplies, and is limiting farmers’ access to their fields and markets, heightening the risk of famine spreading across the Kordofan states.

Communities in Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State remain trapped, facing extreme hardship, severe restrictions on movement and limited access to essential services and protection. In Kadugli, famine conditions have been identified. In Babanusa, West Kordofan State, we have seen reports of sustained attacks over recent days.

We urge all those involved in the fighting to protect civilians, and medical and humanitarian workers – particularly those fleeing besieged areas and local frontline responders delivering life-saving support. Sexual violence, abductions and the recruitment of children must end. Civilian sites and infrastructure – including hospitals, markets and displacement sites – must be respected and protected in line with international humanitarian law.

Humanitarian workers continue to operate under extraordinary risk, delivering basic assistance to 1.1 million people across the Kordofan region. They require safe and unimpeded access to those in need and the resources necessary to save lives and scale up the response.

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For more information, please contact: Dan Teng’o, dan.tengo@un.org; +249 91 253 2791