Rising insecurity and deadly incidents threaten humanitarian operations across Darfur and Blue Nile…reports Africa Daily News Desk
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are continuing to support cholera response efforts and provide critical assistance to people in need across Sudan despite worsening insecurity, UN humanitarian officials said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said health authorities in North Darfur launched a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign in Tawila on Tuesday, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The campaign aims to protect around 95,000 displaced people in the area.
According to the WHO, Sudan’s cholera outbreak, which was declared in June, has so far resulted in nearly 2,900 reported cases and 247 associated deaths across six states.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners have also provided emergency shelter and essential household items to around 12,000 people across the Tawila, Al Lait and Um Hajaleej localities, OCHA said in its daily update.
Meanwhile, about 1,300 people fled villages in Um Baru locality in North Darfur last week following increased insecurity. The displaced people reportedly sought safety in other parts of the state and across the border in Chad, according to IOM.
The security situation has also deteriorated in other parts of the country.
Three drone strikes reportedly hit locations in Nyala City in South Darfur on Tuesday, while increased insecurity in Blue Nile state displaced more than 3,300 people from several villages in the Geisan area on Monday, according to IOM.
The Geisan area is located near Sudan’s border with Ethiopia.
OCHA also warned of rising intercommunal tensions in parts of South and Central Darfur, where several deadly incidents have reportedly occurred in recent days.
“Once again, OCHA calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access,” the UN agency said.
The UN and its partners continue to call for civilian protection and unhindered humanitarian access as the conflict and insecurity disrupt essential services and force more people from their homes.
