13 children reportedly killed or injured in drone strike on displacement shelter in Al Obeid, Sudan
NEW YORK/NAIROBI/KHARTOUM, 1 October 2026 – A drone strike on the Al Mina Al Bari shelter for internally displaced people in Al Obeid, in Sudan’s North Kordofan State, late last night reportedly killed one boy and injured 12 children, including five boys and seven girls.
“Children and families in Al Mina Al Bari have already been forced from their homes and into displacement sites and shelters, with many displaced several times over,” said UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Angela Kearney. “Children come to these places in the hope of safety and protection, but last night any sense of safety was shattered. Attacks on the places children go for protection must stop. These children have nowhere else to go.”
The incident is the latest example of the growing impact of drone attacks on children in Sudan. Between January and September 2026, more than 400 children were reportedly killed or injured, with drone attacks responsible for a significant share of these child casualties. Drone attacks have damaged homes and civilian infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, water systems and markets. The resulting disruption to essential services further compounds the risks faced by children and families affected by the ongoing conflict.
The children and families affected by the reported strike in Al Obeid were already among the most vulnerable. Many people living in displacement sites across Sudan have been forced to flee their homes multiple times as conflict and insecurity spread to new areas. Families often arrive after they have exhausted all other options for safety and continue to face challenges accessing essential services, protection and support.
UNICEF calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. Civilians, including children, must be protected at all times.
#####
Notes for editors:
Multimedia materials available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM4080FDL1J
NEW: Subscribe to UNICEF’s global media updates on WhatsApp.
About UNICEF
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.
For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
For more information, please contact:
Eva Hinds | UNICEF Sudan | [email protected] | +249 123 168 594
Dheepa Pandian | UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office in Nairobi | [email protected] | +254 757 514 548
Joe English | UNICEF New York | [email protected] |+1 917 893 0692