The United Nations’ Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Kristine Hambrouck, on Sunday said she is alarmed by the recent wave of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan, which represent a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
On 30 May, Eldaman International Hospital in Al Obeid, the state capital of North Kordofan, was struck in a reported drone attack that killed at least six health workers and injured more than 15 others, she reported.
“Patients and medical personnel were caught in the line of fire inside a facility dedicated to healing and hope. Hospitals are not battlegrounds — they are protected under international law and must be respected as such,” Hambrouck said. “Just one day earlier, on 29 May, the World Food Programme’s premises in Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, came under repeated shelling, causing significant damage to a key humanitarian hub.”
“Both attacks were reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),” she added.
According to the official, these facilities are essential to sustaining life in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
She added that attacking humanitarian assets puts millions at risk, depriving them of the critical aid they rely on to survive.
“These attacks must stop immediately. I call on all those engaged in the conflict to honour their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects,” she said. “Humanitarian personnel and facilities must never be targeted. Those who attack them must be held accountable.”