UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s Kordofan, flags risk of famine

A United Nations spokesperson said on the briefing that civilians across South Kordofan face growing dangers as violence has intensified, noting that operational humanitarian teams report cities such as Dilling and Kadugli remain effectively cut off and that "famine conditions have been identified in Kadugli." The spokesperson said sustained attacks in areas including Baba Babanusa in West Kordofan have restricted access to food, medicine and markets and limited farmers’ ability to reach their fields.

The briefing said aid workers are operating under extraordinary risk and appealed to parties to the fighting to protect civilians and humanitarian and medical personnel and to respect international humanitarian law. "They require safe and unimpeded access to all those in need," the spokesperson said. The statement urged all parties to protect hospitals, shelters and markets and to end violence, abductions and the recruitment of children.

The spokesperson also highlighted displacement in North Darfur, saying more than 43,000 people displaced from El Fasher had reportedly arrived in Korma Town and Silk Camp, placing immense strain on local services and creating critical shortages of food, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

The briefing did not provide a timetable or specific new commitments from parties to the conflict; instead it repeated appeals for access and civilian protection and noted UN and partner teams remain on the ground where security permits. The spokesperson identified the UN operational humanitarian country team as the source of the field assessments and said UN envoys are engaged on political tracks alongside humanitarian efforts.

The briefing said the UN will continue to press for humanitarian access and monitor the evolving situation but gave no new estimate of how long access will remain limited.