Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
In El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan in Sudan, women and girls face drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night when trying to collect water, creating a perilous environment with no safe time to access vital resources. Anna Mutavati, UN Women’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, described this as a "dual terror" confronting women and girls, echoing patterns similar to previous atrocities in El Fasher.
Drones of foreign origin have increasingly been used in Sudan’s conflict, striking civilian infrastructure such as water points and distribution sites. UN human rights chief Volker Türk noted that the conflict risks entering a deadlier phase, with drone strikes responsible for at least 880 civilian deaths in the first four months of 2026—over 80% of all recorded civilian fatalities.
El Obeid is strategically located on routes connecting Khartoum with Darfur, the broader Kordofan region, and southern Sudan. The city is home to more than 500,000 people, including 83,000 internally displaced persons, most of whom are women and children. Ongoing attacks force women to collect water at night, where many have been subjected to harassment, rape, and other forms of sexual violence.
The water shortage is exacerbating public health risks as the peak of the rainy season approaches. Cholera outbreaks have been reported, with 1,330 cases documented by the World Health Organization. Malnutrition, particularly among women and girls, has increased vulnerability, combined with limited access to food and healthcare, especially in displacement sites.
Sexual violence has been a persistent weapon throughout Sudan’s three-year war, with accounts including rape in front of family members and severe physical abuse. Demand for gender-based violence services nationwide has quadrupled since the conflict's onset, reaching approximately 12.7 million women and girls in 2026.
Women-led organizations continue to play a crucial role in providing protection and support in affected communities. However, funding cuts have forced about two-thirds of these organizations to close or reduce services, and half anticipate suspending operations or shutting down without substantial financial support.