UN: Sudan refuses aid support for 4,000 people in need in Central Darfur

Sudanese authorities will not allow humanitarian organisations to assess the needs of around 4,000 people affected by the recent clashes in the Umm Dukhun area of Central Darfur.According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), authorities in the State capital Zalingei have advised humanitarian organisations not to carry out assessments and field missions until after the peace agreement between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes has been signed.In the Humanitarian Bulletin of this week, UN OCHA states that security concerns have made humanitarian agencies have unable to assess the needs of 4,000 people who fled their homes to areas in and around Umm Dukhun town. Their number has been verified by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).Security concerns have also preventedregular United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights, required to move staff and supplies to Umm Dukhun from Nyala, Zalingei and El Geneina.In addition, the limited capacity of humanitarian agencies in Umm Duhkun town curtails the ability of humanitarians to conducted assessments as most technical staff moved away from the town when the fighting broke out, the UN Agency says.The only international NGOs present in Umm Dukhun are Triangle Génération Humanitaire (TGH), Tearfund, International Medical Corps (IMC) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).Reconciliation ConferenceAt a reconciliation conference, convened in Zalingei on Monday 3 June, delegations from both tribes are discussing a peace accord. . Spokesmen for the two tribes have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process, which has been shadowed by continued ‘violations’ by tribesmen.Clashes between the two tribes, which have flared-up periodically over the past month, have left dozens dead and wounded on both sides.File photo (UN OCHA)Related: ‘Calm returns’ to Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, as leaders parley (12 June 2013)