The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed alarm on Monday regarding the ongoing drone attacks on critical energy infrastructure in Sudan. These attacks have caused widespread power outages and disrupted essential services across several states. On Monday, a series of drone strikes hit two power stations in Kassala State and an electricity substation in Merowe, a city in Northern State, resulting in large-scale blackouts.
Similar attacks on electrical facilities in the River Nile and Northern states occurred on Sunday, also disrupting the supply of electricity to those regions. On Saturday, a drone strike hit an electricity substation in Red Sea State. Another attack on Friday caused a total power outage in the city of Shendi in River Nile State.
OCHA stressed that these are the latest in a string of attacks on energy infrastructure across at least nine states in recent weeks.
In North Kordofan and Al Jazirah states, humanitarian organizations report that widespread power outages and severe fuel shortages have disrupted the supply of clean water — forcing people to rely on untreated sources and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Guterres strongly condemns escalating drone attacks
On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the intensifying drone attacks by the warring parties in Sudan. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said the Secretary-General was appalled by attacks on civilians and the critical infrastructure they depend on, including health facilities.
“Across Sudan, and in Abyei, drones have killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children, in what constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” Dujarric said.
Dujarric added that Guterres called on all parties to agree immediately to cease hostilities and engage in good faith with mediation efforts, including those of his envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto.
Meanwhile, people continue to flee their homes due to insecurity. In North Darfur State, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 2,000 people were displaced from Kernoi and Um Baru villages last week. Some fled to other parts of North Darfur, while others crossed the border into Chad.
In Blue Nile State, IOM reports that nearly 120,000 people have been displaced between January and mid-October of this year. Families have fled insecurity in Geisan, Al Kurmuk, and Wad Al Mahi to other parts of the state.
OCHA reiterated its calls for the protection of civilians and the infrastructure they depend on for survival, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The world's largest humanitarian emergency
While the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to battle for control of the vast country, Sudan is experiencing the world's largest humanitarian crisis. An estimated 33.7 million people—nearly two-thirds of Sudan's population, including over 20 million children—currently require assistance and protection due to the conflict.
Intense fighting broke out on April 15, 2023, between the SAF and the RSF in the capital city of Khartoum. As the violence quickly escalated and spread across Sudan, millions were forced to flee their homes. The conflict began as a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, resulting in the collapse of healthcare, food systems, and civilian protection nationwide.
Relentless fighting, particularly in the states of North and South Kordofan and Blue Nile, has impacted areas far beyond the front lines as deadly attacks sweep the country. Aid operations have also been repeatedly attacked.
While more than 5 million displaced people have returned to their areas of origin in recent months, Sudan still grapples with the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 13 million people forced to flee their homes to date. Of those displaced, approximately 8.6 million remain within Sudan's borders, while about 5 million have fled to neighboring countries due to the ongoing war or previous conflicts.
The war has been waged with unprecedented brutality against civilians, particularly in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan. The RSF, in particular, has been implicated in mass killings and rape as a means of warfare. However, both warring parties have been accused of grave war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Rapid Support Forces have also been accused of genocide.