The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has confirmed the death of Ahmed Yaqoub Othman, a volunteer with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society. His death adds to a growing toll of humanitarian workers and volunteers caught in the crossfire of Sudan’s three-year civil war.
Sudan Red Crescent volunteer killed while assisting the wounded
The IFRC said Othman died on June 10 while helping people injured in attacks on the outskirts of El Obeid, a strategic city that has become increasingly affected by fighting in recent months.
Othman served with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society’s North Kordofan branch and was supporting humanitarian activities when the incident occurred.
In a statement, the IFRC described the Sudan death as a painful reminder of the dangers humanitarian workers face while serving communities affected by conflict. The organization also extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and fellow volunteers.
The IFRC is appalled by the killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer Ahmed Yaqoub Othman, who lost his life while providing first aid to injured people in North Kordofan, Sudan. We mourn his loss and extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and community.… pic.twitter.com/BvnP1frkRa
— IFRC (@ifrc) June 13, 2026
The federation reiterated that humanitarian personnel must be able to carry out their work safely and called attention to the risks confronting volunteers who continue to assist in some of the world’s most dangerous environments.
However, the IFRC did not identify the party responsible for the attack that preceded Othman’s response mission.
Conflict intensifies across Sudan
Othman’s death comes as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate large parts of the country.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 after tensions between the military and the paramilitary RSF escalated into open warfare. Since then, millions of people have fled their homes, while aid agencies have struggled to reach communities trapped by violence.
North Kordofan has emerged as one of several contested regions in the war. El Obeid serves as a key logistical hub linking central Sudan with Darfur, making it strategically important to both sides.
In recent weeks, civilians in and around El Obeid have faced repeated attacks as fighting intensified across the Kordofan region. Consequently, humanitarian organizations have expanded emergency operations while also confronting growing security threats.
Aid workers increasingly caught in the conflict
Othman’s death is not an isolated incident. In October 2025, five Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers were killed while supporting a humanitarian mission in North Kordofan. The volunteers were helping deliver assistance to communities affected by the conflict when they came under attack.
Additionally, five humanitarian workers traveling in a joint aid convoy operated by the World Food Programme and UNICEF were killed in Sudan in 2025 while attempting to deliver life-saving supplies to civilians. Back in February, an RSF drone strike at a hospital killed three people, injuring several others, including medical personnel on duty.
Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that attacks on humanitarian personnel, health facilities, and relief operations are undermining efforts to reach vulnerable populations. Furthermore, insecurity has forced many organizations to suspend activities in some of the country’s hardest-hit areas.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have consistently called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect aid workers, medical personnel, and civilians.
Nevertheless, humanitarian staff and volunteers continue to operate on the frontlines of the crisis. The death of the Red Crescent volunteer underscores the risks they face as they work to assist people caught in one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies.