South Kordofan faces deepening humanitarian woes following recent armed clashes

Displaced civilians prepare food at Kadugli shelter (Photo: RD)

In a week marred by recent clashes between the Sudan People Liberation Movement-North faction, led by Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N El Hilu), and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Delling in South Kordofan, a semblance of security stability has reportedly emerged in the city, yesterday. However, the situation in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, tells a starkly different tale of humanitarian distress.

A resident in Kadugli disclosed dire circumstances to Radio Dabanga, citing a severe sorghum shortage^[1], the region’s vital crop. A significant portion of the population relies on maize for sustenance, yet “families find themselves unable to afford more than one meal a day^[2]”. Prices of essential goods from South Sudan have also witnessed a notable surge, aggravating the food crisis.

Displaced individuals in Kadugli face alarming conditions, divided primarily into three groups: those fleeing conflict in Khartoum and El-Obeid, those displaced by the war between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF, those displaced due to the war between the SAF and SPLM-N^[3] on Kadugli’s outskirts^[4], and displaced populations from Lagawa^[5], West Kordofan.

Health conditions are critical, aggravated by a severe scarcity of medicines, especially those vital for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Patients resort to the black market, facing exorbitant prices for life-saving medications.

Residents in the eastern localities of South Kordofan are also reportedly facing a confluence of critical humanitarian and security challenges. Despite basic commodities being available in markets, economic hardships persist, leaving people unable to afford essential goods.

The proliferation of weapons and ammunition^[6] in the South Kordofan both before and at the war’s onset, has also contributed to a significant deterioration in security. Incidents of looting and violence are reported to have claimed many lives, exacerbating an already precarious situation.

References

1. ^{^} sorghum shortage (www.dabangasudan.org)
2. ^{^} unable to afford more than one meal a day (www.dabangasudan.org)
3. ^{^} SPLM-N (www.dabangasudan.org)
4. ^{^} Kadugli’s outskirts (www.dabangasudan.org)
5. ^{^} Lagawa (www.dabangasudan.org)
6. ^{^} proliferation of weapons and ammunition (www.dabangasudan.org)