United Nations, April 18
Most of the estimated 400,000 people fleeing the Zamzam displacement camp bombardment sought shelter in another Sudanese refuge camp, only for it to be shelled too, the UN humanitarian agency said.
"Access to Zamzam remains completely blocked," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
"Local authorities and partners' reports indicate that armed groups continue to shell El Fasher and surrounding areas, including Abu Shouk camp, which is obviously placing all of the civilians there at immense risk."
The majority of the 400,000 people fleeing the Zamzam camp bombardment fled to the towns of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, and Tawila, where host communities are already under immense strain.
The office said that despite insecurity, aid organisations are working hard to meet urgent needs, Xinhua news agency reported.
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners delivered 1,700 metric tonnes of emergency food in Tawila. Meanwhile, a local partner launched a water trucking initiative to support 10,000 newly displaced people with clean water in El Fasher.
International NGOs are conducting a humanitarian assessment in Tawila to determine the immediate needs and response priorities.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that one of its teams arrived on Thursday in greater Khartoum, where it is coordinating with local authorities to scale up assistance in the nation's capital.
"WFP aims to expand aid deliveries to nearly 1 million people over the coming month," Dujarric said.
"WFP also said that a convoy with 14 trucks carrying over 280 metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies has arrived in Jabal Awlia, which is south of Khartoum, and that arrival took place this (Thursday) morning. This area is one of the areas that is at high risk of famine, so the delivery is well needed."
Famine conditions had previously been declared in the Zamzam camp and several other Sudan locations.
Dujarric said the Khartoum aid deliveries are the first aid into Jabal Awlia since last December. The initial aid convoys carry assistance for around 23,000 people, and additional trucks are en route. The convoy is just one of many planned aid deliveries into the greater Khartoum metropolitan area over the coming weeks.
"All this aid is crucial to help the vulnerable communities, and our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that aid organisations are working hard to meet urgent needs," the spokesman said.
Cross-border and cross-conflict line aid deliveries also continue.
"During the month of March, 156 trucks carrying over 5,600 metric tonnes of assistance entered Sudan via the Adre crossing from Chad, while 146 trucks transported more than 4,000 metric tonnes of aid in other parts of the country," Dujarric said.
OCHA said humanitarian access is severely undermined by delays in visa approvals by Sudan for humanitarian personnel.
"Only 16 per cent of visa applications were approved in March, an alarming drop from previous months, which was around 50 per cent," OCHA said. "All of that can seriously affect life-saving operations if the trend continues downwards."
Dujarric said the United Nations continues to call for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan and urges all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of civilians, and allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is absolutely heartbreaking 💔 These people have nowhere safe to go. The international community needs to step up pressure for a ceasefire immediately.
While I appreciate the UN's efforts, I'm concerned about the visa approval rate dropping to 16%. Bureaucracy shouldn't get in the way of saving lives. There needs to be emergency protocols for humanitarian workers.
My cousin works with Doctors Without Borders in the region. The stories she shares... no human should have to live like this. The water trucking initiative is a good start but so much more is needed.
Why isn't this getting more media coverage? 400,000 people displaced and barely a mention on major networks. Meanwhile we get endless coverage of celebrity gossip. Our priorities are messed up.
The WFP workers are heroes. Delivering food in active war zones takes incredible courage. Donated to their Sudan appeal today - it's the least I can do from halfway across the world.
The part about famine conditions being declared is especially alarming. Food aid is critical but we need long-term solutions too. This conflict has gone on too long with too little attention.
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