The crisis in El Obeid, the capital of Sudan's North Kordofan State, is worsening as damaged infrastructure and ongoing conflict have severely disrupted water supplies, leaving thousands of families spending hours each day searching for clean water.

The conflict in Sudan has further intensified the humanitarian crisis in El Obeid, where access to safe drinking water has become severely limited following extensive damage to water infrastructure.

Residents begin queuing before sunrise in hopes of securing enough water for their families. Officials say the city is facing a 70% water supply deficit.

Locals say clean water has become a luxury for many households. A barrel of drinking water now sells for around 25,000 Sudanese pounds, while saline well water is priced between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds.

Regional sources say attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on water facilities south of the city, along with the group's control of several northern water sources, have significantly worsened the crisis.

Emergency assistance falls short

Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission announced that it has launched a free drinking water distribution campaign in cooperation with humanitarian organizations to ease the impact of the crisis. Around 650 water tankers are expected to be deployed to the neighborhoods most severely affected.

Despite these efforts, officials report that El Obeid continues to face a 70% water shortage.

Authorities have prepared an emergency response plan that includes drilling more than 60 new wells and constructing approximately 50 water treatment facilities to restore supplies.

Displaced families face even harsher conditions

Conditions are particularly severe in camps housing internally displaced people, where families say they sometimes wait three to four days to fill their water containers.

Many have been forced to purchase water delivered by tankers despite severe financial hardship.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said drone attacks have caused extensive damage to El Obeid's supply infrastructure, leaving the current water supply capable of meeting only about 20% of the city's needs.

OCHA continues to warn that the worsening  shortage is not only limiting access to safe drinking water but is also increasing health and sanitation risks, further aggravating the humanitarian situation in the region.(ILKHA)