Sudanese Women Face Sexual Violence and Drone Attacks While Collecting Water in Besieged Al-Ubayyid

In the besieged city of Al-Ubayyid in Sudan, women and girls face severe risks while trying to collect water amid ongoing conflict. The city, capital of North Kordofan state with about 500,000 residents, has been under siege for 18 months, suffering from critical shortages of clean water and essential services. During daylight, drone attacks target water sources, forcing women to venture out at night, where they become vulnerable to harassment, rape, and other forms of sexual violence.

Anna Mutabazi, regional director for East and Southern Africa at UN Women, highlighted that these women endure sexual violence simply in their effort to access water, a fundamental human right. The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by cuts in aid budgets, with two-thirds of surveyed organizations reporting closures or significant reductions in protected spaces and services for survivors of violence.

The conflict stems from fighting between Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both vying for control of the country. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk warned of a looming human rights catastrophe in Al-Ubayyid, comparing the potential for atrocities to those seen last year in Al-Fashir, North Darfur.

Residents face compounded dangers: drone strikes during the day and sexual violence at night, with no safe time to collect water. The lack of support services and safe spaces further endangers survivors, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the city.

Summary: Women and girls in Sudan's besieged city of Al-Ubayyid risk drone attacks by day and sexual violence by night while collecting scarce water amid ongoing conflict and aid cuts.

Points: - Women in Al-Ubayyid face drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night collecting water. - The city has been under siege for 18 months, with severe shortages of clean water and aid. - UN Women reports two-thirds of support services for violence survivors have closed or reduced operations. - Conflict is between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. - UN warns of a potential human rights catastrophe similar to last year's Darfur atrocities. - No safe time exists for women to collect water, worsening their vulnerability.

Topic: security Israel_relevant: false Entities: {"people":["Anna Mutabazi","Volker Turk"],"organizations":["UN Women","UN Human Rights Commission","Rapid Support Forces"],"places":["Al-Ubayyid","North Kordofan","Sudan","Al-Fashir","North Darfur"]}