UN-African mission helps deliver aid to newly displaced in Darfur amid tension

Thousands of newly displaced people who fled their villages as a result of the recent fighting in Sudan’s troubled region of Darfur are continuing to receive humanitarian aid, the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) reported today, adding that areas of the latest clashes remained tense.

Relief supplies to internally displaced persons (IDPs) were, however, temporarily suspended in Shangil Tobaya in North Darfur after new restrictions on movement were imposed, the mission said.

UNAMID peacekeepers are collaborating with local security officials to gain access to all affected areas and ensure the safe delivery of aid.

The IDPs have sought safety in sites where UNAMID units are based in North Darfur and South Darfur states, after fighting erupted this month between Sudanese government troops and forces of the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi (SLA/MM).

An assessment team comprising UNAMID personnel and officials from several UN aid agencies today met with local authorities and IDP leaders in Khor Abeche and Shaeria in South Darfur, where more than 10,000 people have settled. The peacekeepers escorted a four-truck humanitarian convoy to Shaeria.

The mission is also investigating reports of conflict in Kazanjadeed, about 40 kilometres from Shaeria. The conflict has reportedly resulted in thousands of people becoming newly displaced.

An inter-agency mission to Zam Zam camp, outside El Fasher in North Darfur, has observed that around 100 IDPs, mostly women and children, have arrived from the Shangil Tobaya area. Revised figures put the number of IDPs in and around Shangil Tobaya at 14,000, with an estimated 5,000 of them at the UNAMID team site.

Tomorrow, a UNAMID team made up of military, police and civilian officers will embark on a four-day verification and confidence-building mission from El Fasher to Shangil Tobaya, Jebel Tin and Dar al-Salam.

The security situation in all UNAMID team sites remains tense, the mission said. The peacekeeping force has taken additional measures to ensure the protection of civilians, including increasing the frequency and scope of day and night patrols, it added.