UNITED NATIONS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Thursday they are disturbed by violent clashes and escalating tensions threatening civilians in and around El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur.
"We are particularly alarmed about restrictions on civilian movements and reports that civilians are being attacked and robbed while attempting to flee south from the city," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
A major assault on El Fasher would put more than 800,000 civilians in grave danger, including more than 200,000 people internally displaced since the start of the war in Sudan a year ago, it warned.
OCHA said fighting in and around the city cut off humanitarian access to civilians who desperately need assistance. If the violence in El Fasher escalates, more than 360,000 people will be deprived of food assistance and livelihood support, and more than 100,000 people will lose out on shelter assistance.
The humanitarians worry that the violence could impede their access to other states in Darfur.
"We reiterate our call for an immediate de-escalation and for the parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects," the office said. "This includes allowing civilians to leave for safe areas. Civilians must receive the essentials they need to survive, including food, shelter and health services."
The humanitarians also said a group of 10 directors from UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations wrapped up a joint mission to Sudan on Thursday to sound the alarm over the devastating humanitarian situation across the country, including catastrophic food insecurity levels and a growing risk of famine.
OCHA said that the humanitarian community in Sudan urgently needs expanded access -- across conflict lines and borders -- to reach people in need wherever they are.
The humanitarians also need more resources.
Despite generous funds for Sudan pledged in a Paris fund-raising conference two weeks ago, this year's humanitarian appeal worth 2.7 billion U.S. dollars is only 10 funded. ■
