11,000 flee fighting near Sudan's el-Obeid as Sudanese forces keep control of city

More than 11,000 people have fled escalating fighting around Sudan’s city of el-Obeid over the past two weeks, according to Save the Children. Over 5,500 of those displaced were children. @AJEnglish reported that the United Nations warns up to 500,000 civilians in and around the city could face heightened risk if violence intensifies further.

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, lies about 360 km southwest of Khartoum and has remained under Sudanese Armed Forces control. Francesco Lanino, deputy country director for Save the Children in Sudan, said displacement removes access to school, healthcare, clean water and support networks.

“Many have already been displaced multiple times, and without urgent action to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian assistance can reach those in need and prevent further violence, thousands of children could be forced to flee while facing increasing risks to their safety, health and wellbeing,” he said.

Aid agencies and the United Nations said repeated attacks have cut electricity and water supplies, created fuel shortages and raised prices for food and other goods. Damage to water infrastructure and limits on humanitarian access have increased fears of waterborne diseases such as cholera.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated late last week that another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan.

The three-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has already produced the world’s largest displacement crisis.