Sudan: UN welcomes extension of vital aid corridor amid rising insecurity

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The United Nations has welcomed Sudan’s decision to extend the opening of an aid corridor with neighbouring Chad and continues to express concern over the ongoing escalation in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan state.

The Sudanese authorities announced on Monday that the Adre border crossing – critical for humanitarian aid delivery into the Darfur and Kordofan regions – will remain available through 30 September. 

“This will continue to allow us to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need, despite the ongoing insecurity,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in New York. 

Ongoing clashes at the border 

The announcement comes as armed clashes continue near the Chadian border, with some humanitarian partners reporting that they have suspended operations due to the worsening security conditions and communications disruptions. 

Despite the volatility, humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance, especially across Darfur.  

“In West Darfur, for example, our partners last week completed cash distributions to 250 families,” he said.  “In addition, general food assistance was delivered, reaching more than 42,000 people with monthly food rations.”  

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Conflict, cholera and constraints 

As cholera continues to rise in West Kordofan, aid partners are also scaling up by operating cholera treatment facilities, deploying rapid response teams, strengthening surveillance and water chlorination, and distributing cholera supplies supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

As of 20 June, there were 838 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases, including 117 deaths, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean wrote in a tweet. 

“Although the number of new cases is beginning to decline, access to healthcare and humanitarian assistance remains severely constrained,” she added, warning that “disrupted health services, unsafe water and poor sanitation, insecurity and population displacement are creating conditions for the disease to spread.”

Continued drone attacks in El Obeid 

Meanwhile, the situation in El Obeid remains concerning as drone attacks continue for a third consecutive week.  

A drone strike on 27 June reportedly hit areas near a school for girls, injuring at least eight students, according to local sources. 

“We once again call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow unimpeded humanitarian access wherever it is needed,” the UN Spokesperson underscored.