Unicef launches aid pilot in Darfur’s rebel-controlled areas

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has started pilot initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance in rebel-controlled areas of West Jebel Marra in Darfur. These areas have remained inaccessible to assistance for almost two years.Working through the State Ministry of Health (SMoH), Unicef has pre-positioned nutrition supplies in Nierteti to open centres in Golo, Killin, Katti, Korifal, Daya, Guldo and Solo.Apart from Guldo and Golo, the areas of Daya, Killin, Katti, and Korifal are located in areas controlled by the rebel group Sudan Liberation Army-Abdel Wahid (SLA-AW), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated.High death rates in Nertiti hospital were found to be connected with the late arrival of these children from the area of Eastern Jebel Mara. Unicef has supported the SMoH to provide treatment in these areas.Golo hospital, Killin and Guldo clinics stopped services since January 2013 when their facilities were looted during the fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and SLA-AW in the area that displaced some 30,000 people.Katti and Korifal were closed in 2009 when MSFSwitzerland pulled out from West Jebel Marra. Daya clinic has been non-functional since 2006 when the international NGO GOAL stopped activities in the area as a result of insecurity.The operation cost for running the said facilities was provided to SMoH to cover the months of October, November, and December 2013.Related: Darfur rebels ‘release five captured SAF medics to Red Cross’ (26 August 2013)