Sudan conflict tightens access and heightens logistics risk in Darfur and Kordofan
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Escalating violence in North Darfur and North Kordofan has displaced large populations, with famine confirmed in Al Fasher and siege conditions in South Kordofan, severely restricting movement of food, medicine, and essential goods. Access constraints are lengthening lead times, raising last-mile costs, and increasing loss ratios for trucking and distribution routes near conflict zones, intensifying execution and working-capital pressures for operators.
Nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in North Darfur since 26 October, while confirmed famine in Al Fasher reflects sharp deterioration in food security and rising child malnutrition. Insecurity, looting, and blocked routes continue to trap civilians and disrupt corridor reliability. UNICEF activities in Tawila and greater Al Fasher include distribution of essential medical kits and therapeutic foods, reaching 3,580 patients and screening 774 children ahead of a large-scale nutrition campaign for under-fives and pregnant women. Daily water trucking of 150,000 liters supports approximately 20,000 people, complemented by 90 emergency communal latrines, school hygiene supplies, and continuous water-quality monitoring. Protection measures include psychosocial support for more than 3,000 children and caregivers, reunification of 22 separated children, and strengthened GBV/SEA safeguards via 168 reporting channels and frontline-worker training.
In North Kordofan, insecurity around Al Obeid displaced more than 39,000 people between 26 October and 13 November, including new movements from Bara locality. In South Kordofan, siege conditions are creating acute shortages of food and medical supplies as populations in Kadugli and Dilling remain trapped, narrowing delivery windows and restricting last-mile access. UNICEF responses include mobile clinics, cholera-prevention sessions for 250 people, and essential supplies for 5,000 people, alongside nutrition support. WASH interventions include repairs to hand pumps serving 1,000 people, hygiene campaigns for 8,000 people, and dislodging 48 latrines at major gathering sites used by 2,400 people. Child-protection work includes psychosocial support for 400 children and caregivers, recreation kits, and explosive-ordnance risk awareness sessions for 313 girls in high-risk zones.
Confirmed famine, siege-driven access constraints, and disrupted transport corridors will increase last-mile logistics costs, extend delivery timelines, and raise spoilage and claims exposure for health, nutrition, and FMCG cargo passing through Darfur and Kordofan. War-driven economic contraction elevates counterparty and liquidity risks, potentially impairing receivables and forcing distributors to build larger cash buffers. High inflation and currency volatility further complicate pricing, contract settlement, and hedging for import-dependent operators.
Mitigation priorities include rerouting away from conflict-adjacent corridors, adding redundancy to deployment schedules, and staging critical inventory and spares outside contested areas. Operators should increase safety stock for temperature-sensitive items, tighten payment terms via escrow or partial prepayment, and reassess counterparty credit. Insurance reviews covering war-risk and cargo exposure, alongside priced-in security escorts and delay allowances, can help maintain operational continuity. Strengthening safeguarding expectations and incident-reporting protocols with partners remains essential.
