UN expresses concern over civilians fleeing Jebel Marra clashes
February 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Marta Ruedas, has expressed deep concern about the plight of the newly displaced people in North Darfur state who fled their homes following the recent clashes in Jebel Marra area.
In a press conference Wednesday following her visit to Tawilla area in North Darfur, Ruedas called on the Sudanese government and the rebel movements to cease hostilities immediately to allow for the delivery of aid to the needy.
“I visited Tawilla, west of El Fasher on the fringes of the Jebel Marra, where over 22,000 people, mostly women and children, have gathered in recent weeks next to an existing camp for displaced people”, she said.
“Many arrived after an arduous and dangerous journey, carrying what they could of their belongings and food. Seeing hundreds of women and children in Tawilla and speaking to the local authorities there very much brings it home: that civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflict every day and their protection is our paramount concern,” added the UN official.
Since last January, the government forces launched a large scale offensive on the Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) positions in Jebel Marra. The fighting forced thousands of people to flee the area and seek refuge in North and Central Darfur states.
Ruedas expressed concern about the plight of over 85,000 newly displaced civilians in North Darfur state who have fled their villages due to the escalation of conflict in Jebel Marra , saying that 90% of them are women and children.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are 22,261 newly displaced in Tawilla, of whom 18,974 are verified, and 63,223 newly displaced in Sortony, of whom 41,530 have been registered.
The UN official called on the Sudanese government to grant the UN and its partners an immediate, safe and unfettered access to all people in need, saying they have not been granted access to key locations reportedly affected by civilian displacement in Central Darfur state.
“Initial reports indicate that civilians who had fled into Central Darfur State when hostilities broke out mid-January then travelled into North Darfur State to receive aid, as they were unable to access relief in Central Darfur”, she said.
“The United Nations, international and national organizations, and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society are delivering assistance to those in need, and more is on the way, but the massive influx of new arrivals in recent days has put a strain on what was an already logistically complex operation”, added the UN official
Ruedas further pointed that an 11-truck convoy left El Fasher on Tuesday for Sortony with more aid including food, saying the UN is making every possible effort to respond to a new wave of displacement
She noted that the massive influx of new arrivals in North Darfur in recent days has put a strain on what was an already logistically complex operation.
(ST)