UN official reaches South Kordofan’s Dilling as humanitarian needs spiral

March 3, 2026 (DILLING) – A senior United Nations official completed the first high-level mission to the town of Dilling in South Kordofan since the start of the current hostilities, marking a rare breakthrough in humanitarian access to the besieged region.

Denise Brown, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, wrapped up a three-day visit to the area following the recent opening of a supply route. The mission comes as towns like Dilling and the state capital, Kadugli, face spiralling humanitarian needs driven by prolonged sieges and a volatile security situation.

Ongoing fighting continues to displace residents and obstruct the movement of both commercial goods and humanitarian aid, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

During the visit, Brown and a delegation of UN partners visited displacement sites and a local hospital to assess the crisis. They met with community members and aid workers to coordinate emergency requirements for the region.

The mission coincided with a significant medical milestone. Save the Children announced on Monday the first delivery of vaccines to Kadugli in nearly three years. UN officials described the delivery as a positive step but emphasized the urgent need for consistent and unhindered access to conflict zones.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reiterated on Tuesday that parties to the conflict are obligated under international law to facilitate safe and sustained humanitarian passage.

The push for access is being hampered by a severe funding gap. The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan, which requires $2.9 billion, is currently only 14% funded. With just over $400 million received to date, the UN warned that the delivery of life-saving assistance remains severely constrained.