63,000 people displaced by clashes in Abu Kershola: report
June 5, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The number of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by last month clashes in Abu Kershola has reached 63,000 people announced the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday.
In addition, the UN humanitarian body said that there are some 10,000 IDPs in three areas in South Korodfan, Um Berimbita, Tandik (Rashad locality) and Dibeakir (Al Qoz locality). It also mentioned that around 8,000 IDPs have reached Khartoum state.
“This brings the total number of IDPs displaced by the fighting in Abu Kershola and surrounding villages to around 63,000” concluded the report.
Save the Children Sweden rehabilitated four hand pumps to provide water to some 2,000 people in Dibeakir area. The same group also improved water infrastructures in El Rahad, North Kordofan where there are over 18,000 IDPs from Abu Kershola.
SRF rebels after their departure from the eastern South Kordofan area warned that they intend to carry out more attacks during the next days increasing fears that the ongoing conflict may be extended to affect civilians in North Kordofan, Kosti or government’s controlled areas in the Blue Nile and other regions around South Kordofan which serves as base for the SRF fighters.
The security situation in Abu Kershola area is still fragile, said an assessment conducted by the Sudan’s water and environment sanitation, Sudanese Red Crescent and a national aid group conducted between 30-31 May.
“The assessment found that the security situation remains fragile, including on the road between El Rahad and Abu Kershola”.
However, HAC said that that some 27,000 people may return Abu Kershola and its surrounding villages, as the joint team identified urgent needs in humanitarian assistance in the areas where IDPs may return.
(ST)