Dilling, August 25(Darfur 24)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said it continued to provide humanitarian supplies to 120,000 of the most vulnerable people in the towns of Dilling and Kadugli, South Kordofan.
In a statement obtained by Darfur24, the organization considered the arrival of these supplies a vital achievement for thousands of children and families isolated for more than nine months due to the conflict.
It noted that this is the first time since October 2024 that UNICEF, or any other humanitarian agency, has been able to reach Dilling with significant supplies.
UNICEF stated that more than 63,000 children in South Kordofan suffer from acute malnutrition, including more than 10,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
It explained that the convoy heading to Dilling and Kadugli carried 6,300 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food, sufficient to cover the needs of the targeted areas for more than six months.
According to the statement, the aid included water and sanitation supplies, including pumps and generators to ensure clean water, as well as basic education and health supplies.
It added: “These supplies will contribute to supporting health facilities, schools, and communities struggling to cope with the crisis.” The prolonged conflict in a state where more than 70% of water and sanitation facilities have been damaged and urgently need repair.
The town of Dilling is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis after supplies of goods and medicine were halted due to a blockade imposed by the Rapid Support Forces, leading to a hunger crisis that has forced thousands to flee their homes.
UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Sheldon Butt, said, “This convoy is a lifeline for children in South Kordofan who have suffered from hunger, fear, and uncertainty for far too long.”
He continued, “This shows that by delivering humanitarian aid, we can provide hope and tangible relief to children in desperate need. But one convoy is not enough; without sustained humanitarian access, many children simply will not survive.”