‘Challenge to assess Jebel Marra displaced in Central Darfur’

National and international humanitarian organisations are currently unable to carry out any verification or assessment of the people newly displaced from Jebel Marra in Central Darfur.

Local authorities stated that they take full responsibility on this matter and will provide any assistance required, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan reported in its latest weekly bulletin.

However, humanitarian organisations are concerned about whether all displaced and other conflict-affected people are able to receive the assistance they need. Significant movement restrictions and the volatile security situation prevent aid organisations from ascertaining the actual needs.

This leads to confusion regarding the numbers of newly displaced. A wide range of estimates complicate the understanding of the situation on the ground and potential response, the bulletin reads.

According to the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in Central Darfur, the reported number of 3,265 new displaced in Jebel Marra’s Guldo, Tur, and Daya has not changed over the past week. These figures are not confirmed (not yet individually registered) and are very likely to change after registration and verification.

At a meeting with aid organisations on 3 February, the deputy governor of Central Darfur stated that the authorities would create a conducive environment for humanitarian organisations to participate in verification and assessments to ensure that all conflict-affected people receive assistance.

According to HAC and the deputy governor, the local authorities provided or prepositioned some food supplies and 3,000 blankets for the displaced in Tur and surrounding areas.

OCHA reports that the cumulative number of new displaced from Jebel Marra in North Darfur is estimated at about 37,000. This includes 21,690 in Sortony, 14,000 in Tawila, and 1,186 in Kabkabiya. They have received initial assistance.