Hike in drone attacks in Sudan's Kordofan increases civilian displacement, casualties: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A sharp increase in drone attacks across Sudan's Kordofan region has endangered civilians, increased casualties and displacement, damaged infrastructure and escalated aid needs, UN humanitarians said Friday.

"Over the past week, North Kordofan State recorded more than a dozen attacks in and around the towns of El Obeid, Bara, El Rahad and Um Rawaba," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "Commercial vehicles, telecommunications infrastructure and key transport routes have been affected, disrupting humanitarian movements and supply chains."

OCHA said that in South Kordofan, suspected drone strikes hit health facilities in the state capital, Kadugli, and in Kuweik town, reportedly killing four medical workers, injuring more than 20 people and affecting already fragile health services.

The violence is causing new displacement with more than 300 families reported arriving recently in the southern town of Talodi, having travelled long distances, mostly on foot.

In North Kordofan, the office said that approximately 800 newly displaced people reached Ar Rahad town. In West Kordofan, more than 6,000 displaced people reportedly arrived in Laqawa locality, fleeing insecurity in Kadugli and surrounding areas. Many urgently require shelter, food, safe water, medical care and protection support.

"The UN and partners continue to deliver assistance where possible, including food distributions in El Obeid in North Kordofan," OCHA said. "However, the humanitarian situation in Dilling and Kadugli continues to deteriorate. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access is essential to scale up lifesaving assistance." ■