KHARTOUM – A drone strike destroyed 50 metric tons of humanitarian aid destined for civilians in Sudan’s South Kordofan State, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Wednesday, warning that thousands of vulnerable people will be deprived of urgently needed assistance.
UNHCR said a truck contracted by the agency was attacked near Tendelti while transporting relief supplies to Abu Jubayhah. The driver survived the attack, but the entire shipment was destroyed.
The cargo included 1,000 non-food relief kits, plastic sheeting, sleeping mats, cooking utensils, water supplies and solar-powered lamps intended for conflict-affected families, the agency said.
The attack comes as humanitarian agencies struggle to reach millions of people across Sudan, where aid deliveries have repeatedly been disrupted by insecurity, damaged infrastructure and funding shortages since war broke out in April 2023.
Separately, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric voiced concern over escalating violence in Sudan, saying drone attacks in Kosti, White Nile State, injured at least three civilians and underscored the growing risks facing both civilians and humanitarian operations.
Despite the security challenges, Dujarric said a joint U.N. convoy carrying 8.5 metric tons of medical supplies, including cholera treatment materials, recently reached South Kordofan to support the response to growing health needs.
The United Nations renewed its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and urged international donors to increase funding as humanitarian needs continue to rise across Sudan.
The aid truck was struck during a drone attack on Tendelti. Sudanese authorities have accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the attack that they said killed several civilians. The United Nations, however, said only that the truck was hit in a drone strike and did not attribute responsibility.
