Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, stated that the humanitarian community in Sudan is facing critical and increasing operational challenges in North Darfur State due to the large-scale forced displacement of civilians away from existing infrastructure and humanitarian services.
In a statement on Sunday, Salami noted that these challenges have severely disrupted ongoing humanitarian operations and significantly worsened the already dire humanitarian situation for hundreds of thousands of people.
She mentioned that the current mass displacement from Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps and other IDP camps is estimated at about 450,000 people heading towards Tawila, areas around Jebel Marra, and beyond.
Nkweta-Salami said population movements are becoming more volatile and unpredictable, fueled by ongoing hostilities and fears of a wider attack on El-Fasher.
She added, “The situation is compounded by high levels of food insecurity, increasing isolation of displaced people from supply chains and aid, putting them at greater risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, and famine.”
The UN Coordinator stressed that humanitarian operations are facing multiple challenges and are prevented from responding adequately despite repeated calls. She added that humanitarian access to El-Fasher and surrounding areas remains severely restricted.
She concluded by saying: “UN agencies and NGOs must be granted immediate and sustained access to these areas to ensure the safe and widespread delivery of life-saving support. Humanitarian aid must be delivered in proximity and sustainability through existing infrastructure, which is far better equipped for comprehensive and effective response.”
Nkweta-Salami emphasized the importance of maintaining access to these systems as crucial to preventing further forced displacement and easing the burden on already strained areas like Tawila and its surrounding host communities.
