UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- More than 106,000 people have fled El Fasher and environs since the Rapid Support Forces captured the North Darfur state capital in western Sudan nearly a month ago, UN humanitarians said Tuesday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that despite continuing challenges, aid organizations are delivering assistance to the displaced, most of whom are taking refuge in the camps in the Tawila region, about 40 km away from El Fasher.
OCHA said that humanitarian partners in Tawila report significant challenges to their operations, including funding shortfalls and insecurity along key access routes. Health facilities are overstretched and mobile clinics are struggling to manage growing caseloads of injuries, acute malnutrition and respiratory infections.
"Our partners also warn that without urgent reinforcement of basic services and increased funding, the already dire conditions in Tawila could worsen even further," OCHA noted.
Despite the challenges, OCHA said humanitarian organizations continue to deliver aid. "Last week, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society began cash distributions for 8,000 families in Dabba Naira camp in Tawila."
OCHA said it remains deeply concerned by ongoing violence in other parts of Darfur, including Central Darfur state and the Kordofan region.
The office continues to call for the protection of civilians across Sudan and urges donors to scale up funding to meet the growing needs across Darfur, Kordofan and other parts of the country. ■
