UN reports drone strikes, convoy breakthrough and warns of likely famine in parts of Sudan

Steph, the UN spokesperson, told reporters that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, reported that more than 50 civilians were killed in drone strikes carried out by parties to the conflict over roughly two days.

Steph said those killings underscore the toll of escalating drone use in Sudan and reiterated calls for both sides to cease violence and engage in dialogue toward a ceasefire. When asked whether the UN had confirmation that both the government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were involved, Steph said civilians have been killed by drones in areas controlled by both sides, which leads the UN to believe both sides are using them.

On humanitarian access, Steph said a 26-truck UN convoy led by the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the UN Development Programme reached Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State after weeks of delays. She said recent analysis from the integrated food phase classification system indicates likely famine exists in both cities.

Steph also relayed funding needs: 'This year's humanitarian response plan calls for 2,900,000,000.0 US dollars to reach more than 20,000,000 people.' She urged donors to maintain and step up support. When a reporter asked if that $2.9 billion is in addition to a previously announced $1.6 billion regional request for some 6,000,000 IDPs, Steph said she would get clarity and indicated the $1.6 billion was more regional while the $2.9 billion is more specifically for Sudan.