Civilians in the Sudanese city of El Obeid are increasingly fearful of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, Islamic Relief aid workers in the city report.

Daily drone strikes on trucks trying to bring in aid, fuel, food and other supplies have put El Obeid – the capital of North Kordofan state – under partial siege, with many vital supplies set to run out within a few weeks.

RSF troops have almost fully encircled the city and the UN is warning of a looming large-scale attack, raising fears of mass atrocities and a repeat of the horrors that occurred last year in El Fasher in Darfur. Islamic Relief is calling on the international community to urgently step up diplomatic efforts to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian supplies can safely enter the city.

Almost 600,000 people are now living in El Obeid, including more than 105,000 who have sought refuge in the city after fleeing violence and famine elsewhere. The drone strikes have also targeted power infrastructure and have left the city suffering severe shortages of water and fuel. The price of a jerry can of water has doubled in the past few weeks, and food prices have also spiralled.

One recent drone strike killed numerous people in the city’s biggest camp for displaced people, where more than 72,000 people are sheltering and Islamic Relief provides food.

Dawelbeit Elzein Abdalla, Islamic Relief’s field coordinator in El Obeid, said:

“People here are increasingly anxious about the constant drone attacks and the worsening shortages of food, water, fuel and electricity. The drones have hit everything from fuel stations and tanker trucks, and the main road connecting the city with the outside world has become a target. Islamic Relief’s team in El Obeid is providing nutritional support and food to thousands of displaced people, but conditions are increasingly tough as supplies run out and prices increase.”

El Obeid is a strategic commercial and humanitarian hub linking the vast regions of Darfur and Kordofan with the rest of the country. A further escalation in El Obeid would have a devastating impact not only in the city but also across Kordofan, where many families are already facing starvation and severe shortages of food and medicine.

Islamic Relief’s Head of Programmes in Sudan, Shihab Mohamedali, said:

“We’re worried that the escalating violence in and around El Obeid could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and a repeat of the horrific violence seen in El Fasher last year. But it’s not too late to heed the warnings and act to prevent disaster. We urge warring parties to avoid bloodshed, protect civilians, and allow humanitarian aid to reach everyone in need, and we urge the international community to keep its eyes on El Obeid and act to stop atrocities.”

Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan since 1984. Since the war erupted in April 2023 the charity has reached over 2 million people with aid including food, healthcare, water and cash. In El Obeid and North Kordofan, Islamic Relief supports 56 health and nutrition facilities, and provides food to 72,000 displaced people in El Obeid.