HIGHLIGHTS
HAC and SRCS estimate that 5,000 people fled Mulli and surrounding villages and took refuge in El Geneina.
Ongoing fighting between government forces and armed movements reported in the Jebel Marra area.
The Ministry of Health is looking for partners to take over Tearfund operations in Central and East Darfur.
In Central Darfur, some 1,000 people in Bindisi town affected by inter-tribal fighting receive aid.
In 2015, over 109,000 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Sudan.
5,000 IDPs arrive in El Geneina town, fleeing violence in West Darfur
The Government of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) estimate that nearly 5,000 people displaced from Mulli and surrounding villages have arrived in El Geneina town, capital of West Darfur State, since 10 January. These people fled their homes following tensions and violence with pastoralists after a member of the pastoralist tribe was found dead near Mulli village.
HAC—in collaboration with sheikhs (community leaders)—is currently registering the displaced people who have taken refuge in Abuzar internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Geneina town. So far, 130 families (about 650 people) have been registered in the camp. Aid organisations have requested permission to assess the needs of these IDPs, however according to HAC no assistance from aid organisations is required at this stage. On 16 January, government authorities—together with local organisations and traders—sent food (millet, sugar, oil, biscuits, salt) and non-food items (clothing and mosquito nets) to assist the people who remained in Mulli village. Once the security situation improves and the displaced people return home, aid organizations can carry out assessments and provide returnees with assistance in their home areas, according to HAC.
A verification patrol mission from the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) visited villages of Atia and Mulli—which were affected by this violence—on 12 January. According to UNAMID, residents fled Atia village, about 70 homes were burned to the ground and a large section of the village was destroyed during the conflict. Other villages affected include Gokar, Khashaba, Doroti, Alla Maraga, Birtainyo and Hillet Zaghawa, all within 10 to 20kms from El Geneina town.
It is still unclear exactly how many people have been displaced as no needs assessments have taken place. Some sources report that there has also been displacement across the border into Chad. Unverified information also indicates that some people are beginning to return to their villages.
In 2015, West Darfur had seen the least civilian displacement within the Darfur region as humanitarian partners had verified 1,220 IDPs and 746 reported returnees in the state. In 2015, the total number of verified IDPs, unverified IDPs and returnees in Darfur reached 246,600.