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“We are alarmed by the continuation of deadly drone strikes across the country that are killing civilians, including children, and disrupting essential services,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York.
The increased use of armed drones during wars between rival militaries comes at a time when 20 million people face acute hunger, with the risk of famine increasing in parts of Darfur and Greater Kordofan.
Fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – former allies who together seized power in a 2021 coup.
This latest increase comes after a series of deadly drone strikes last week.
Bloody Monday
On Monday alone, drone strikes injured at least 19 people at a busy market in Abyei and targeted several locations in the capital, Khartoum, including areas near the airport.
One civilian was reported killed and several flights were canceled following the attack.
Over the weekend, drone strikes reportedly killed at least 19 people, including 10 children, and injured others across West Darfur, South Darfur and North Kordofan states.
“We categorically condemn all these attacks,” Mr. Dujarric said.
Responding to the increasing use of armed drones in Sudan, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, urged external parties to stop inciting violence and the use of drones.
He asked the conflicting parties to return to the negotiating table, while briefing the parties Security Council last Friday.
Aid workers were targeted
Another serious concern is the targeting of aid workers, the UN spokesperson said.
Since the conflict began, 25 Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers were reported killed while on duty.
He expressed deep sadness over the killing last week of a Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer who provided first aid at a health center in Um Darfa in Blue Nile State following a drone attack on the facility.
“The targeting of those who risk their lives to help others in humanitarian situations is particularly heinous,” Dujarric said, reiterating that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities and personnel, must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Important assistance has been delivered
Despite enormous challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide critical assistance whenever they can, Dujarric said.
In Central Darfur state, UN partners recently rehabilitated water facilities in Zalingei, restoring access to clean water for approximately 2,500 people.
More than 2,000 families have received water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.
“Again, we need more funding to sustain all these life-saving operations,” he said, stressing that Sudan’s humanitarian response plan is only 43 percent funded.
