The United Nations on Monday said it has distributed humanitarian aid to 38,000 civilians displaced by recent conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.

"The United Nations and partners have distributed food relief and other humanitarian aid to the 38,000 civilians, the vast majority women and children - who have been displaced by the recent conflict in Darfur's Jebel Marra area," UN Office of Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan said in a statement on Monday.

Other life-saving assistance included water, shelter, cooking equipment, latrines, medical supplies and nutritional supplement for malnourished children, it added.

According to the statement, the 38,000 who have received assistance are in three locations in North Darfur, 23,000 in Sortony (next to a UNAMID base), 13,000 in Tawilla (in an established camp for displaced people) and over 1,000 in Kebkabiya town.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Marta Ruedas voiced in the statement the need for longer term support for the displaced people.

"Emergency supplies have been delivered to the newly displaced in North Darfur, but longer term support will be required as long as it remains unsafe for them to return to their villages," she said.

"Displacement could also increase if hostilities continue," she noted.

The United Nations further called for a cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to the conflict to allow international humanitarian workers to reach displaced people in Central Darfur.

In mid of last January, violent clashes erupted between Sudanese army and rebels of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Abdul-Wahid Nur faction around Jebel Marra area in Sudan's Central Darfur State which forced thousands of civilians to flee the area. Endit

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)