Thousands of people have fled fighting in Sudan's Kordofan region for the relative safety of El Obeid, as tens of thousands are displaced across the area.
Many of those arriving are reported to have travelled long distances with few belongings, seeking shelter with relatives or in makeshift camps.
El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, has become a refuge for people escaping clashes in surrounding towns and villages.
Humanitarian organisations say shelters, schools and public buildings in the city are under strain as new arrivals look for somewhere to stay.
“People are arriving exhausted and frightened, and the services here were already stretched before this latest wave.”
Sudan has been gripped by conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The war has created one of the world's largest displacement crises, with millions forced from their homes and widespread shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Aid groups have repeatedly called for safe access to civilians in conflict areas, saying insecurity and damaged roads continue to hamper deliveries.
Health workers have warned that crowded conditions and limited sanitation increase the risk of disease outbreaks, particularly among children and older people. Clinics in the city are reported to be struggling with shortages of staff and supplies as patient numbers rise.
Local volunteers and community kitchens have stepped in to provide meals and basic support for displaced families.
Humanitarian agencies have appealed for additional funding to meet growing needs in the region as the fighting continues.
