Conflict, repression and severe human rights violations continue across Sudan. HART works through local partners in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States, where the Government has blocked humanitarian access to those in need.

The Situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile

Since the latest wave of conflict broke out in South Kordofan and Blue Nile in 2011, the Government of Sudan has targeted civilians with aerial bombardment, missile attacks and ground assaults, killing hundreds of people and displacing around 1.7 million. In the Nuba Mountains (South Kordofan), many have taken shelter in caves in the mountains. In Blue Nile, even that shelter is not available.

Aerial bombardment targets schools, churches, mosques, villages, marketplaces and other infrastructure central to the wellbeing of the community. A number of hospitals and humanitarian facilities have been targeted in the last year, with some attacks preceded by drones flying overhead, suggesting deliberate targeting. Attacks often correlate with the planting and harvesting season, preventing people from growing crops and exacerbating hunger across the region. Food insecurity is at crisis levels. The people of South Kordofan and Blue Nile are extremely resilient, but this relentless onslaught is taking a heavy toll.

A team from HART visited Sudan’s Blue Nile State in January 2015. We met communities affected by the violence and saw firsthand the devastating effect that the conflict is having on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of the local population.

Partners

The Government has blocked humanitarian access to the region, so the work of local organisations, such as our partners, is a lifeline. We are continually humbled and inspired by their courage and commitment. Despite the conflict and the challenges to operating in this area, their work is efficient and effective, and we always receive excellent financial and narrative reports from our partners.

Nuba Reports are a group of citizen journalists in the Nuba Mountains. Follow them on Twitter for the most up to date news from the region.