Water Crisis Deepens Hardship in Sudan’s El Obeid Refugee Camps

Escalating water shortage in El Obeid camps

Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the city of El Obeid has become a focal point for displaced families seeking safety. Humanitarian shelters that were built to provide basic shelter and food are now confronting a new emergency: an acute lack of clean water. The shortage has grown from an inconvenience to a life‑threatening condition for thousands of residents.

Why water supplies have collapsed

The war has damaged critical infrastructure, including pipelines that once delivered water from the White Nile to the city. Fuel shortages have limited the operation of water trucks, while security concerns prevent repair crews from reaching damaged sites. In addition, the sudden influx of displaced people has pushed demand far beyond the capacity of existing wells.

International agencies estimate that the daily water need for a family of five is at least 50 litres for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene. In El Obeid camps, many families receive less than half of that amount.

Key factors behind the crisis

Infrastructure damage: Bombings and shelling have ruptured main lines.
Fuel scarcity: Generators that power pumps cannot run consistently.
Population surge: Over 120,000 people have arrived since early 2023.
Seasonal drought: Rainfall has been below average, reducing natural replenishment.

Health risks emerging from the shortage

When clean water is scarce, families turn to unsafe sources such as stagnant ponds or unprotected wells. This shift has led to a rise in water‑borne diseases, especially diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. Children under five are the most vulnerable; recent reports from health clinics in the camps show a 30 percent increase in paediatric diarrhoea cases compared with the previous year.

Malnutrition, already high due to food insecurity, is worsened by dehydration and repeated infections. The World Health Organization warns that without rapid intervention, mortality rates could climb sharply.

Impact on mental health

Beyond physical illness, the stress of waiting in long queues for a few litres of water each day takes a toll on mental well‑being. Women and children, who are often responsible for water collection, report feelings of anxiety and helplessness.

Daily coping strategies of families

Residents have adopted a range of measures to stretch the limited water they receive. Some of the most common practices include:

Reusing grey water from washing for flushing toilets.
Collecting rainwater in makeshift containers whenever possible.
Prioritising drinking water over hygiene, which leads to reduced hand‑washing.
Sharing water from neighbours, creating informal distribution networks.

While these tactics provide short‑term relief, they also increase the risk of contamination and do not solve the underlying scarcity.

Humanitarian response and challenges

Several international organisations are working to mitigate the crisis. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has coordinated emergency water trucking, delivering an average of 10,000 litres per day to the largest camp. The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing water purification tablets and training on safe storage.

UNICEF is focusing on children’s health, distributing oral rehydration salts and setting up mobile clinics (UNICEF Sudan). The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has repaired several shallow wells, but the repair work is limited by ongoing insecurity.

Despite these efforts, funding gaps remain. The World Bank estimates that an additional $150 million is required to rebuild water infrastructure and secure sustainable supply for the next two years (World Bank).

Barriers to effective aid delivery

Inconsistent access routes due to active fighting.
Limited storage capacity for water trucks.
Logistical delays caused by customs clearance for equipment.
Insufficient coordination among NGOs, leading to overlapping efforts.

What can be done to prevent a deeper crisis

Experts suggest a multi‑layered approach that addresses both immediate needs and long‑term resilience.

Short‑term measures

Scale up water trucking with additional fuel subsidies.
Distribute large‑capacity water tanks to each block within the camps.
Expand community‑led water quality testing to detect contamination early.

Medium‑term solutions

Drill new boreholes in safe locations away from conflict zones.
Introduce solar‑powered pumps to reduce reliance on fuel.
Develop rainwater harvesting systems with proper filtration.

Long‑term vision

Rebuilding the regional water network will require coordinated investment from the Sudanese government, international donors and private sector partners. Restoring the main pipeline from the White Nile, coupled with modernised treatment facilities, could provide a reliable source for both the city and surrounding camps.

Until such infrastructure is restored, the daily reality for families in El Obeid remains one of uncertainty and hardship. Continued attention from the global community is essential to prevent a humanitarian disaster that could spread beyond Sudan’s borders.