UN reports drone strike destroyed 50 metric tons of relief in Sudan; Ebola coordinator deployed in DRC

United Nations agencies reported two urgent humanitarian developments in Africa: a drone strike that destroyed a large consignment of UNHCR relief items in Sudan and new Ebola cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where a special coordinator has been deployed.

UNHCR reported that a contracted truck was hit by a drone near Tandeli in West Darfur; the driver was unharmed but roughly 50 metric tons of humanitarian relief destined for Abu Juba were destroyed. The spokesperson listed the destroyed stock as including 1,000 non‑food item kits, 3,000 blankets, 200 jerry cans, 1,000 kitchen sets, 3,000 sleeping mats, 2,000 plastic sheets and 1,000 solar lamps, and said thousands who depended on the assistance would now go without urgent relief.

Separately, health authorities in eastern DRC confirmed at least two Ebola cases at a displacement camp hosting about 15,000 people. The UN said an Ebola treatment center is being established at the site and that Julian Hares has arrived as the special Ebola coordinator to support WHO and national authorities in scaling up the response, reinforcing coordination and addressing operational challenges.

The spokesperson urged protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and called on donors to increase funding to sustain operations across the affected regions. UN agencies also reported ongoing inter‑agency convoys carrying medical supplies to areas in Sudan to support outbreak preparedness and response.