UN Secretary‑General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said confrontations in South Kordofan have “intensified in recent days”, highlighting a drone strike that hit Dilling General Hospital this week, killing at least four patients and injuring several civilians.

The attack further undermines the already fragile health system in the region.Violence has also surged in North Kordofan, where the city of El Obeid has been struck by repeated drone attacks over the past five days. The worsening security situation has trapped civilians, displaced families and increased the risk of further humanitarian deterioration.

Dujarric warned that humanitarian access is “becoming increasingly restrained”, with aid agencies struggling to reach affected populations. Critical supply routes, including the key road between Kosti and El Obeid, are under threat. Any disruption to these corridors would have serious implications for both humanitarian operations and commercial supply chains vital for food and fuel distribution.

The UN has urged all parties to respect international law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access. In a separate briefing, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that global inequality is worsening and the world’s economic systems are failing billions of people.

Türk noted that more than half of the world’s workforce earns a living in the informal economy, often without basic labour protections such as maternity leave, paid sick leave or social safety nets. Women are disproportionately affected, with nearly 60% of working women employed informally.

He cautioned that the failure to provide equitable social and economic protections is undermining progress towards global development goals and fuelling instability in fragile regions.

The High Commissioner called for targeted reforms to strengthen social protection systems, expand labour rights and ensure economic opportunities reach the most marginalised groups.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–