Sudan OCHA bulletin 21: HAC leads humanitarian response in East Darfur

The Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) has informed humanitarian partners that it is leading the humanitarian response in Abu Karinka locality, following clashes between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat on 11 May.

In its latest humanitarian bulletin, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan, reports that the humanitarian partners will only be authorised to access the area after HAC has delivered assistance, and identified any remaining gaps.

HAC has already conducted a rapid assessment in the area, and dispatched relief items sufficient for the 24,000 individuals, estimated to be in need of assistance.

OCHA and humanitarian partners continue to negotiate with local and federal authorities for immediate and unhindered access to the affected areas.

International partners have said that no assistance will be provided, unless they are able to independently assess the humanitarian needs in the area. Humanitarian partners have also requested a clearer understanding of how current government relief is being distributed and to whom.

Blue Nile state

On 27 May, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan ad interim, Geert Cappelaere, voiced his concerns over reports of large-scale displacement in Blue Nile Bau locality. and possibly in other parts of the state.

Humanitarian partners in Blue Nile’s El Roseires locality reported about new arrivals from Bau locality. For now, the response is focusing on provision of emergency shelter and household materials. However, there are concerns that land disputes with the host communities could arise as the areas of arrival already face shortages of water and basic services.

Aid in Central Darfur

Partners operating in Central Darfur have expressed their concern about the upsurge of crimes targeting humanitarian operations. In response, humanitarian partners in the area have called upon Unamid and the UN Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) to conduct further investigations and security risk assessments.

Nevertheless, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), with support from Unicef, has constructed 150 emergency latrines in the return village of Abata in Zalingei locality. NCA has also received funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) to improve water and sanitation facilities in the Hassahissa, Khamsa Diegaig and Hamidiya camps for the displaced in Zalingei.

Triangle Génération Humanitaire (TGH) has distributed a number of relief items to 3,320 households in Kabar camp, Um Dukhun locality. The distribution follows an improvement in the security situation resulting from the peace agreement signed by the Misseriya and Salamat tribes last month.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) supplied 808 newly displaced people in Hassahissa camp with emergency shelter and household items. The World Food Programme (WFP) assisted some 640 newly displaced with emergency food rations.

77,139 South Sudanese refugees in White Nile

As of 20 May, the total number of South Sudanese arrivals in Sudan since December 2013 amounts to 143,363, according to the UNHCR.

As the fighting in South Sudan's Upper Nile and Unity states is worsening, more refugees are expected to flee to the White Nile state and South Kordofan states.

With the a growing concern of overcrowding in the majority of White Nile camps, finding space for additional refugee influxes is a priority. UNHCR is currently holding discussions with local authorities and community leaders on possible solutions to camp congestion.  

In South Kordofan, HAC conducted a verification mission in El Tadamon locality, and registered more than 600 people. Humanitarian partners in the area are updating contingency plans and undertaking measures in preparations of an influx of refugees.

Read the full report here