UNITED NATIONS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Hostilities along Sudan's borders with neighboring countries and intensifying drone strikes are increasing threats to civilians and disrupting relief operations, UN humanitarians said Wednesday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said recent clashes along and near Sudan's borders with Chad and Ethiopia have caused civilian casualties and forced people to flee their homes.
OCHA said that humanitarian partners reported that drone strikes on Monday caused civilian casualties in southern Sudan.
The office said that in eastern Blue Nile State, violence near the Ethiopian border threatened access to the towns of Kurmuk, Sali and Dindraw, south of Ed Damazine, the state capital. Civilians have been displaced toward Ed Damazine and across the border into Ethiopia.
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said Tuesday that it had taken control of the strategic town of Kurmuk, following "fierce" battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces of the government.
OCHA said that fires at displacement sites in Sudan are increasing amid overcrowding, high temperatures, and the use of flammable shelter materials.
The office said that on Monday, a fire at the Al Afad displacement site in Northern State killed a 3-year-old child and displaced 15 families. Another fire in North Kordofan displaced at least 30 families.
OCHA called on all parties to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need. ■