13,000 People with Disabilities Face Dire Humanitarian Conditions in El Obeid

The Sudanese humanitarian organization Safe Corridors and Friendly Homes has revealed that more than 13,000 people with disabilities in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, are facing extremely difficult humanitarian conditions as a result of the city’s worsening security situation.

Living conditions in El Obeid have deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, with severe shortages of food, clean water, electricity, and other essential services following intensified indiscriminate drone attacks on the city by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Speaking to Mashawir, the organization’s head, Mohamed Mohieddin, said that official statistics indicate there are approximately 13,000 people with disabilities in El Obeid, although he believes the actual number is considerably higher than the official figures suggest.

Mohieddin explained that the organization had previously implemented five humanitarian projects to support people with disabilities in the city. These initiatives included assistance to community kitchens (takayas) and the provision of essential aid for women and children. However, the organization is now facing severe financial constraints that limit its ability to continue providing the necessary assistance and to evacuate vulnerable individuals stranded in North Kordofan State.

Safe Corridors and Friendly Homes was established as a voluntary Sudanese humanitarian initiative in response to the outbreak of war in Sudan in June 2023.

The initiative specializes in rescuing and evacuating people with disabilities and their families from conflict zones to safer areas, while also providing emergency shelter and comprehensive livelihood support.

Since its establishment, the organization has successfully evacuated hundreds of people with disabilities from Khartoum and other conflict-affected cities to safer locations, including Wad Madani, Atbara, and Kassala.