Intercommunal violence kills over 140 people in South Darfur: UN
November 2, 2023 (NYALA) – More than 140 people were reportedly killed due to inter-communal fighting in As Sunta and Buram localities in South Darfur, the UN said.
The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) said at least 17 people were killed and 17,500 people displaced due to renewed clashes between South Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala town of South Darfur State..
An estimated 5.8 million people have been displaced within and outside Sudan since mid-April 2023, the UN said, amid concerns that at least 85,800 people fled Sudan over the past month seeking safety and protection in neighbouring countries.
Fighting between SAF and the RSF has become more complex and multilayered as additional groups are drawn in and local conflicts are exacerbated in Darfur.
The conflict, according to OCHA, has severely affected agriculture in many parts of the country raising concerns on food security in the coming months.
The devastating economic and social impact of the conflict compounded by erratic rainfall are driving dramatic levels of acute food insecurity, it further noted.
Meanwhile OCHA expressed concerns that displacement continues at a steady pace, with a staggering 4.2 million internally displaced persons since the beginning of the conflict, in addition to almost 1.2 million people who left Sudan.
Khartoum remains the epicenter of displacement and fighting, resulting in the widespread destruction of key economic infrastructure and exacerbating pre‑existing macroeconomic challenges, including inflation, currency depreciation and low levels of foreign currency reserves.
“If these circumstances continue, it is expected that there will be a severe shortage in the supply of food and other essential commodities,” OCHA said.
An estimated 20.3 million people or 42% of the population in Sudan were projected to face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, including more than 6.3 million people.
(ST)