By ifeoma Onyekachi

The United Nations has strongly condemned a deadly drone attack that struck a wedding gathering in Kutum, North Darfur, killing at least 30 civilians, including women and children, as violence intensifies across Sudan.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern in which non-combatants are increasingly caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

He stressed that the use of drones against civilian populations and infrastructure represents a serious violation of international humanitarian law, urging all parties to respect the rules of engagement and prioritise civilian protection.

The attack in Darfur comes amid a broader escalation of violence. In South Kordofan, particularly around the town of Dilling, recent clashes have reportedly left at least 47 civilians dead, with dozens more injured.

Beyond the rising death toll, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Aid operations are facing severe setbacks due to blocked supply routes, making it difficult for relief agencies to pre-position essential medical supplies, food, and water ahead of the rainy season, which typically begins in June.

Fuel shortages and surging prices are compounding the crisis, further limiting the ability of humanitarian actors to reach vulnerable communities.

The UN renewed its call for an immediate halt to hostilities and demanded safe, unhindered, and sustained access for humanitarian workers to deliver life-saving assistance to affected populations.

Meanwhile, a joint update from the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees highlights an equally alarming situation for Sudanese refugees in neighbouring Chad.

According to the agencies, more than one million Sudanese refugees in Chad are at risk of losing access to critical support—including food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and protection services—due to a severe funding gap estimated at $428 million.

Chad, despite being one of the world’s least developed nations, continues to keep its borders open, now hosting approximately 1.3 million Sudanese refugees. Over 900,000 of them have fled into the country since the conflict erupted in 2023.

The strain on resources is immense. Current funding allows the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide only minimal assistance to fewer than half of those in need, leaving many without adequate shelter or access to basic services.

Similarly, the World Food Programme has been forced to scale back food distributions, cutting rations for most refugees as it grapples with limited resources.

The UN is urging international donors to urgently step up financial support over the next six months to prevent a further collapse of humanitarian assistance.

Officials warn that without swift global intervention, both the humanitarian response inside Sudan and support for refugees in neighbouring countries could deteriorate rapidly, placing millions more lives at risk.