Humanitarian aid to Mellit, restrictions lifted in South Darfur

Fighting that broke out between the Berti and Ziyadiya tribes in late February and early March, resulted in the displacement of some 67,000 people in Mellit locality according to community sources. Access restrictions to camps in South Darfur were lifted as fighting between the Sudanese army and armed rebels has subsided.

The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) reported in its latest weekly bulletin that a head count of internally displaced people from Mellit town, Saiyah and surrounding villages is planned next week, in eleven affected villages. The planned relief response includes upgrading water facilities, supporting health services, disposing of unexploded ordnances (UXO), and distributing food items to 191 families whose shelters were reportedly torched during the tribal conflict.

Acute malnutrition cases were identified among the new arrivals in Mellit in Saiyah by the International Red Cross, the state Ministry of Health, and the UN Children's Fund. Most nutrition facilities that were closed during the conflict are operational again and currently treat the malnutrition cases. 

Camps in South Darfur accessible

OCHA further reported that humanitarian operations were able to resume on 3 May after the government's humanitarian aid commission imposed restrictions on humanitarian movement into field locations and camps in South Darfur.

It did so against the backdrop of insecurity owing to fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Dimsu locality and surrounding areas. The rebels acknowledged defeat in Nakhara on 26 April.

Humanitarian partners advocated and managed to continue food distribution in Dereig camp and in Kass locality, and were once again able to move to the camps near Nyala.