Sudan: Drone attacks are worsening the crisis in El Obeid
Why is El Obeid attracting attention now?
The vast Kordofan region in south-central Sudan has remained one of the most volatile and active conflict zones of the three-year-old long war in the country. North Kordofan state is at the centre of the hostilities and its capital, El Obeid has become a refuge for about 100,000 displaced civilians fleeing violence elsewhere.
The frontline is less than 40 kilometres away. In June, the UN sounded the alarm on the potential consequences of a large-scale attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following reports about the mobilization of troops. Drone attacks by the RSF have intensified in recent weeks in and around the city. According to data from the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO), more drone strikes occurred in North Kordofan than in any other state in Sudan, with at least 141 recorded attacks as of July 8. More than half of these attacks (51 per cent) have taken place since June and the vast majority hit El Obeid.
Drone strikes are not limited to military targets. They very often hit civilian areas, killing and injuring civilians.
How is the situation in the city?
There is a real sense of fear among people in El Obeid. Drone strikes very often hit civilian areas, killing and injuring civilians. Since June, strikes hit schools, a market, fuel stations and supplies, water points and the main power station, causing major disruption to the city’s electricity supply and blackouts.
Drone attacks are impacting basic services, raising transport and fuel costs and limiting access to safe drinking water and healthcare. There are almost no functional fuel stations and the price of one litre of gasoline has reached nearly $21 Canadian and it can be even higher in the black market.
People wait for hours to collect water and the prices of the barrels are skyrocketing too. El Obeid now depends mainly on seasonal dams and a small number of urban boreholes. In one of the camps for displaced people I recently visited, families are surviving on a little over one litre of water per person per day and there are too few latrines and widespread open defecation.
People are struggling to afford even basic healthcare. Hospitals running without reliable backup power are suffering from power rationing and are at risk of having to close essential services. They need more generators and depend on fuel, which is no longer available. Access to medicines remains a challenge and is costly; the referral of patients can be difficult because of insecurity and transport costs and delays in seeking care often result in people arriving in more severe condition. The repeated attacks are making humanitarian operations increasingly difficult. Insecurity limits the ability of teams to move safely and restrictions on travel permits and road movements can cause further delay.
Are people fleeing to other parts of Sudan?
Regular bus movements are still running and the road remains passable. However, many people cannot afford to leave or are possibly afraid to move because the main road out of the city is frequently targeted by drones. We are not observing a large-scale movement of people leaving El Obeid, however, should people decide to leave El Obeid, they must be granted safe passage and access to shelter, safety and medical care whenever they need it.
What is MSF concerned about?
Many families are struggling to meet their basic needs. They live in crowded places with poor shelter and very little access to water and sanitation.
After more than three years of violence, displacement and loss, people are simply exhausted.
We are particularly worried about access to safe drinking water, as many people are using unsafe water sources. With the rainy season starting, conditions will get worse and the risk of diseases like cholera will increase. Cholera was first reported in neighbouring West Kordofan state in late May. In North Kordofan, dozens of suspected cholera cases have since been reported, raising serious concerns the outbreak may be spreading into the state. Malnutrition is already high, especially among children, making people more susceptible to illness.
The recent escalation once again places civilians in the middle of the conflict. After more than three years of violence, displacement and loss, people are simply exhausted. In one of the camps, I met a lady who had fled from El Fasher last year. She walked 21 days to reach El Obeid. She arrived barefoot after witnessing unimaginable suffering along the way and now she is again on the brink of an extremely difficult situation here. Her story is just one of many stories of incredible resilience, but is also a reminder of the immense human cost of this conflict.
We call on RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to ensure the protection of civilians, as well as of aid workers supporting the population.
How is MSF responding to the needs?
We are coordinating with the Sudanese authorities to strengthen outbreak response and scale up emergency activities. We have brought in a new emergency team that will focus on making water available and enhance the Ministry of Health’s cholera response, among other activities.
Between April and May, North Kordofan experienced a measles outbreak that was brought under control through case management and a vaccination campaign. MSF supported the isolation centre at the teaching hospital, the referral of patients from displaced camps and health promotion.
MSF teams are ready to expand the response in El Obeid, as well as in other areas across the Kordofan. Humanitarian organizations need safe access to provide essential assistance. MSF is also preparing for the arrival of many displaced people in White Nile state if the situation worsens.
