Drone attack kills 30 wedding guests

The United Nations (UN) has condemned a deadly drone attack on civilians in Kutum, North Darfur, noting that a drone strike hit a wedding ceremony in the town, killing at least 30 civilians, including women and children.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, at a news conference Thursday, said civilians were bearing the brunt of the growing violence.

“We condemn all attacks against civilians.

“We reiterate that drone attacks against civilians and civilian targets are unacceptable. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, in line with international humanitarian law.

“In South Kordofan, clashes around the town of Dilling, starting last Monday, reportedly killed 47 civilians and injured dozens more,” he said.

Dujarric said aid operations continue to be disrupted, with major supply routes closed, preventing us from pre-positioning critical health, nutrition and water supplies ahead of the rainy season, which usually begins in June.

The spokesperson said fuel prices had risen, exacerbating already dire humanitarian needs.

“We once again call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to all people in need,” he said.

Dujarric further briefed on the World Food Program (WFP) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report on Sudan and Chad

More than one million Sudanese refugees in Chad are facing immediate and life-threatening cuts to food, water, shelter, protection and healthcare unless they can obtain additional funding, WFP and UNHCR colleagues reported.

“The overall deficit for both agencies is $428 million.

“The Government of Chad generously kept its borders open to refugees during the conflict in Sudan and is now hosting 1.3 million Sudanese refugees.

“Over 900,000 of them have crossed the border since the start of the war in Sudan in 2023. Chad is among the least developed countries (190 out of 193), according to our colleagues at UNDP.

“People may not have much to offer, but they continue to share what they have with the men, women and children fleeing the war in Sudan. One in three people living in eastern Chad is now a refugee.”

According to him, current UNHCR resources provide basic assistance to only four in 10 refugees, leaving many with little access to shelter, water and basic healthcare.

Dujarric said WFP was equally hit by a lack of funding, with less than half the resources it needs.

“The agency reaches over a million people in areas hosting refugees with food assistance, but has already been forced to halve this support for most refugees.

“We ask donors to mobilize funds for the next six months to support the assistance.

“Chad’s continued openness should be accompanied by decisive international responsibility,” he said.