Humanitarian conditions in the Sudanese city of El Obeid and two camps on its outskirts are severe and worsening, according to local reports, as civilians displaced by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces militia continue to arrive from surrounding rural areas.

The UN reports that over 15,000 families have reached the area since mid-July, adding to more than 200,000 people who arrived in the first half of the year, per government figures referenced by Save the Children.

"The conditions are extremely difficult and continue to decline as El Obeid receives internally displaced people every day. The city is alarmingly overcrowded," stated Maryam, a humanitarian volunteer who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

The newcomers arrived on foot with very few belongings, she noted. "They face food shortages and arrive in a traumatized state."

The city, capital of North Kordofan province, had a population of about half a million before the war started more than three years ago.

While many newcomers have been integrated into the city, tens of thousands reside in two primary tent camps. Satellite data analysis by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab shows 800 new tents appeared in one camp between 4 and 25 August.

"On my recent visit, I observed 450 people arriving from nearby villages in just one morning," said Paul Byars, Sudan country director for the Danish Refugee Council, who visited El Obeid last week. "Official estimates indicate 85 percent are women and children. Most men remain behind to handle farming during this season."

Civil war began in Sudan's capital Khartoum, roughly 250 miles northeast of El Obeid, on 15 April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the armed forces and RSF that turned into open conflict.

Since then, approximately 11.3 million people have been displaced, exceeding one-fifth of the population. Certain regions, including El Obeid and environs, face famine risks.

Death toll estimates range from tens to hundreds of thousands. Over 10,000 people are believed to have been killed by the RSF in El Fasher during two days in October 2025 after an 18-month siege in Sudan's western Darfur region.

Increased RSF drone attacks on El Obeid and nearby zones in June prompted the UN to caution that the city might suffer a similar fate to El Fasher.

The frequency of strikes has decreased since. The armed forces also regained a vital northern road to Khartoum in late July, partially easing siege concerns. Nevertheless, drones continue to cause civilian casualties, and violence persists in surrounding districts, driving more people to the city.

Local volunteers in El Obeid have observed more "double-tap" drone strikes recently, where a follow-up drone targets rescuers, according to Maryam. "It is extremely challenging to live with this, hearing drones strike locations," she said. "It is very unsettling."

Sudan's civil war now heavily features drones, responsible for half of all violent incidents, rising from 4 percent at the war's outset, noted Nohad Eltayeb, who tracks Sudan for Acled, a conflict monitoring organization.

Both parties employ drones, but RSF usage has grown more unpredictable since the US conflict with Iran began disrupting supply lines in February, she explained. "They depend on fewer, highly targeted attacks."

This year, there have been 322 violent incidents affecting civilians in the broader Kordofan region, compared to 388 throughout 2025, per Acled data. While the RSF accounted for half, the SAF has also harmed civilians. On 10 August, armed forces and an allied militia killed five civilians and injured 10 about 60 miles northeast of El Obeid, according to Emergency Lawyers, a nongovernmental organization.

Due to threats against supply trucks, food costs have surged. In north Kordofan in July, per World Food Programme data, a litre of groundnut oil cost 17,000 Sudanese pounds (about 21 pounds), up from 13,000 in June and 7,700 a year earlier. Prices for wheat flour and goat and sheep meat have also more than doubled over the past year.

Additionally, El Obeid's power and water systems have not fully recovered from RSF drone strikes in June.

"The primary issue is the major water source north of the city, which suffered severe damage and remains unrepaired," said Esperanza Santos, an emergency coordinator in Sudan for Medecins Sans Frontieres. "City water pipes have also been affected. Thus, both in the city - such as in hospitals - and in the IDP camps, they depend on water trucking, which is insufficient."

Camp conditions are also poor, Santos added. "Sanitation is extremely bad and inadequate. The latrine ratio exceeds 100 people per facility, leading to open defecation."

Maryam noted that she and other local volunteers stay dedicated despite challenges. "Conditions are worsening, yet we strive to remain united and resilient against drone attacks and the IDP influx. We continue living with this and hope for improvement."