KEY FACTS
• The Jebel Marra in Sudan’s Darfur region has seen large scale civilian displacement from more than 60 villages since mid-January 2016 as a result of increased hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Abdul Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/AW).
• As of 14 February 2016 there are 38,000 IDPs in North Darfur State, the vast majority of whom are women and children. Estimates for Central Darfur vary between 1,000 and 50,000; confirmation of these numbers has not been possible by the United Nations due to lack of access.
• Emergency relief is ongoing in North Darfur by the humanitarian community to all affected people. Needs relating to food, water, sanitation, emergency shelter, household supplies, protection, nutrition and health are being met, with some gaps reported (see table). Verification of the new IDPs is also underway.
• Prior to aid being distributed, living conditions were extremely poor, primarily due to a lack of food, water and shelter as many IDPs had fled in haste and not been able to gather food and other belongings.
• While hostilities continue to be reported in the Jebel Marra, prospects for the newly displaced remain uncertain.
KEY MESSAGES
Civilians - especially women and children - continue to bear the brunt of conflict in Sudan. The United Nations calls upon all parties to ensure that civilians and civilian objects are protected in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
The United Nations calls for immediate, safe and unfettered access to all people in need, wherever they may be located, so that affected people can receive the humanitarian assistance they require. In particular, the United Nations urges all parties to the conflict to allow international humanitarian actors to reach displaced people in Central Darfur.
Emergency supplies have been delivered to the newly displaced people but longer term support will be required as long as it remains unsafe for them to return home. Displacement could increase if hostilities continue.
The United Nations is calling for a cessation of hostilities so that international humanitarian organisations can assess and respond to those most in need of humanitarian assistance.