disaster
WFP Geneva Palais Briefing Note: WFP warns El Obeid is becoming the new epicentre of Sudan's displacement and hunger crisis
By World Food Programme at ReliefWeb
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
. GENEVA – I'm calling from Kosti, having just returned from a one-day trip to El Obeid city to witness the humanitarian situation on the ground. We have been providing humanitarian assistance in El Obeid, even before this current crisis, and yesterday what I saw was a city that is becoming the epic
Key takeaway WFP has been providing food assistance to over 100,000 people in camps inside the city, but it isn’t enough.
Why this matters
The situation in El Obeid highlights the complexities of responding to displacement and hunger crises in Sudan, where funding shortfalls and logistical challenges, such as fuel shortages, hinder the ability of organizations like the World Food Programme to provide adequate assistance. The fact that WFP has had to bring in its own fleet of trucks to ensure food distribution underscores the severity of these challenges. With over 120,000 people in the Unified IDP Camp and many more living with host families or in makeshift shelters, the need for urgent assistance is clear. The generosity of El Obeid's residents in hosting and sharing resources with displaced families is notable, but it also emphasizes the gap in humanitarian support. As the crisis deepens, it is crucial for donors and humanitarian agencies to prioritize funding and resource allocation to ensure that affected populations receive sufficient aid, particularly in areas like El Obeid, which is becoming a critical epicenter of need.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . GENEVA – I'm calling from Kosti, having just returned from a one-day trip to El Obeid city to witness the humanitarian situation on the ground. We have been providing humanitarian assistance in El Obeid, even before this current crisis, and yesterday what I saw was a city that is becoming the epic
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Food Programme at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .