Tom Fletcher calls for civilian protection and unhindered humanitarian access as fighting intensifies in El Obeid….reports Africa Daily News Desk
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has spoken with the commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, to express concern over the escalating conflict in Sudan and its growing humanitarian consequences.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Fletcher discussed the intensifying hostilities, particularly in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, where recent fighting has further worsened the humanitarian situation.
During the conversation, Fletcher stressed the need to ensure safe humanitarian access to people in need and called for the protection of civilians, including allowing them to move safely amid the conflict.
He also voiced concern over the impact of drone attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, warning that the attacks were further disrupting access to essential services and humanitarian assistance.
The discussions also covered obstacles hindering relief operations, including bureaucratic restrictions affecting the United Nations and its non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners in delivering life-saving aid.
Meanwhile, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Denise Brown concluded a visit to El Obeid on Sunday, where she met humanitarian partners and witnessed the damage caused by attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Citing figures from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), OCHA said that at least 18 children have been killed and 17 others injured in El Obeid since May. Across Sudan, at least 330 children were killed or injured during the first six months of 2026.
Reiterating its appeal, OCHA called on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to affected populations across the country.
Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. Last month, the United Nations warned of a military build-up around El Obeid, saying it could signal an imminent RSF ground offensive.
The UN has previously accused the RSF of carrying out attacks on civilians during its siege and capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, in late 2025, an assault that resulted in large-scale civilian casualties.
