UN Demands Humanitarian Access in Sudan as Civilian and Child Casualties Rise

UNITED NATIONS, July 7, 2026 - The United Nations has called for greater humanitarian access in Sudan as fighting intensifies across several regions, with growing concerns over civilian casualties, drone attacks, and restrictions affecting aid operations. The UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher held talks with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, urging the group to ensure safe access for humanitarian workers and civilians affected by the conflict. Discussions focused on the worsening situation in areas such as El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, where violence and attacks on civilian infrastructure have disrupted relief efforts. The UN raised concerns over administrative obstacles preventing aid organizations from delivering assistance to vulnerable populations. The call came as the UN Human Rights Council approved an urgent international investigation into alleged human rights violations and abuses in and around El Obeid. The inquiry will examine reported violations as fighting continues in the region. The humanitarian situation has severely affected children, with UN figures indicating that at least 18 children have been killed and 17 injured in El Obeid since May. Across Sudan, more than 330 children were reportedly killed or injured during the first six months of 2026. Despite ongoing insecurity, some humanitarian assistance has reached affected communities. A joint UN convoy carrying food and medical supplies arrived in Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan, providing support amid a growing cholera outbreak. The delivery marked the first UN aid shipment to reach the areas since early June. In West Kordofan, where more than 800 cholera cases have been recorded, humanitarian agencies have allocated additional funding for water, sanitation, and emergency medical responses. However, aid operations remain severely limited in parts of Darfur. Continued clashes in Kulbus locality in West Darfur have forced humanitarian organizations to suspend activities, while insecurity in Um Baru locality in North Darfur displaced more than 3,500 people in early July. The UN continues to warn that the prolonged conflict is deepening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of civilians in urgent need of protection and assistance.