The humanitarian situation in El Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, is rapidly worsening as increasing displacement puts pressure on already limited food, water and essential services, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Thousands of families fleeing conflict from Kordofan and Darfur are arriving in El Obeid, causing the city’s population to rise significantly and placing additional strain on overcrowded displacement camps and local resources. Shortages of food, fuel and clean water are deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Nearly 400,000 people across Sheikan district, including El Obeid and neighbouring Bara and Gharb Bara districts, are already facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity. The worsening conditions are increasing the risk of malnutrition among children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Power disruptions have also affected water systems in El Obeid, contributing to shortages of safe drinking water. More than 30 new cholera cases have been reported, adding further health concerns for displaced communities.
WFP is currently supporting more than 100,000 people in El Obeid through food assistance and limited cash support. However, severe funding shortages mean many families are receiving only half of their usual food rations, forcing some households to share their limited supplies with others in need.
To maintain humanitarian operations, WFP trucks are transporting around 200 metric tons of food each day from partner warehouses to distribution points. The organization has also established shared storage facilities to help humanitarian partners manage lifesaving relief supplies.
WFP is preparing to expand assistance in and around El Obeid, with food stocks positioned to support more than 250,000 people through hot meals and food distributions if security conditions allow. However, diverting supplies for the El Obeid response has affected preparations for supporting other communities during the rainy season.
Across Sudan, more than 19.5 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, including hundreds of thousands facing famine risks. Conflict, insecurity and funding shortages continue to restrict humanitarian access, limiting the ability of aid organizations to reach vulnerable populations.
WFP warned that without additional funding and safe access, food assistance programmes could face severe disruptions. Current projections indicate that food stocks may be critically depleted by September and exhausted by October, while specialized nutrition supplies could run out as early as August.
The agency requires $646 million between June and November 2026 to provide lifesaving assistance and support food production recovery for millions of people affected by Sudan’s ongoing crisis.
WFP emphasized that sustained international support is essential to prevent further hunger, protect vulnerable communities and preserve progress made in reducing the risk of famine in parts of Sudan.
