Sudan government restrictions prevent aid to 150,000: UN

04/10/2013 17:19

Government movement restrictions are preventing humanitarian agencies from reaching an estimated 150,000 displaced people in East Darfur. State authorities have also restricted Unamid patrols and escorts in the province citing security concerns, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on its latest report.The UN bulletin further points out that the displaced excluded from aid are in Adila, Abu Karina, Muhajeriya and Labado, in Yassin and Sheiria localities. Especially the capital Ed Daein, and the localities of Adila, Abu Karinka, and Assalaya are affected, OCHA says, noting that since mid-August, eight security incidents against humanitarian actors have been reported in the state.Clashes between government troops and rebel forces in April, and between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia tribes in August in East Darfur caused a deterioration in security in the state.6,700 childrenMeanwhile, some 6,700 children are said to have limited access to education as a result of this year’s battles in East Darfur, the State Ministry of Education (SMoE) says.This includes some 2,200 children from Muhajeriya living in the El Neem camp, who fled battles between government and rebel troops in April.Another 4,500 children who fled tribal clashes in Kilakil Abu Salma area, and the localities of Assalaya, Adila and Abu Karinka are facing similar difficulties. They are currently living in El Jelabi, Al Mina Al Bari, Adila, and Abu Karinka.OCHA says the existing schools in these camps and settlements have a limited number of classrooms and also lack teachers and education materials.In early April, rebel forces took over the strategically located towns of Labado and Muhajeriya. The Sudanese Army regained control of them ten days later. August’s tribal clashes between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia, Unamid, says, were triggered by unresolved disputes concerning access to land resources.Fuel shortage affects UN flightsThe report further states that insecurity in Central Darfur caused by ongoing Misseriya and Salamat tribal clashes, is affecting the movement of humanitarian supplies, especially to the southern corridor localities of Umm Dukhun and Bindisi. Many agencies have been forced to bring in supplies using UN Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) flights.However, in the last week of September, UNHAS in El Geneina, West Darfur, announced that their suppliers had run out of aviation fuel stocks. In response, it received fuel from UNHAS in Khartoum, which would enable them to operate for one week, OCHA reports.The fuel shortage would affect flights from El Geneina to Kulbus, Selea, Kereinik, Beida, Mornei, Foro Baranga in West Darfur and Bindisi in Central Darfur. It could affect the operations of over 15 international NGOs and UN agencies in these locations.File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid

Government movement restrictions are preventing humanitarian agencies from reaching an estimated 150,000 displaced people in East Darfur. State authorities have also restricted Unamid patrols and escorts in the province citing security concerns, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on its latest report.

The UN bulletin further points out that the displaced excluded from aid are in Adila, Abu Karina, Muhajeriya and Labado, in Yassin and Sheiria localities. Especially the capital Ed Daein, and the localities of Adila, Abu Karinka, and Assalaya are affected, OCHA says, noting that since mid-August, eight security incidents against humanitarian actors have been reported in the state.

Clashes between government troops and rebel forces in April, and between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia tribes in August in East Darfur caused a deterioration in security in the state.

6,700 children

Meanwhile, some 6,700 children are said to have limited access to education as a result of this year’s battles in East Darfur, the State Ministry of Education (SMoE) says.

This includes some 2,200 children from Muhajeriya living in the El Neem camp, who fled battles between government and rebel troops in April.

Another 4,500 children who fled tribal clashes in Kilakil Abu Salma area, and the localities of Assalaya, Adila and Abu Karinka are facing similar difficulties. They are currently living in El Jelabi, Al Mina Al Bari, Adila, and Abu Karinka.

OCHA says the existing schools in these camps and settlements have a limited number of classrooms and also lack teachers and education materials.

In early April, rebel forces took over the strategically located towns of Labado and Muhajeriya. The Sudanese Army regained control of them ten days later. August’s tribal clashes between the Rizeigat and Ma’alia, Unamid, says, were triggered by unresolved disputes concerning access to land resources.

Fuel shortage affects UN flights

The report further states that insecurity in Central Darfur caused by ongoing Misseriya and Salamat tribal clashes, is affecting the movement of humanitarian supplies, especially to the southern corridor localities of Umm Dukhun and Bindisi. Many agencies have been forced to bring in supplies using UN Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) flights.

However, in the last week of September, UNHAS in El Geneina, West Darfur, announced that their suppliers had run out of aviation fuel stocks. In response, it received fuel from UNHAS in Khartoum, which would enable them to operate for one week, OCHA reports.

The fuel shortage would affect flights from El Geneina to Kulbus, Selea, Kereinik, Beida, Mornei, Foro Baranga in West Darfur and Bindisi in Central Darfur. It could affect the operations of over 15 international NGOs and UN agencies in these locations.

File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid