Sudan: UN urges immediate protection for civilians in west Darfur and guaranteed humanitarian access for agencies

Khartoum 3 March 2008: After two visits to communities affected by recent fighting in West Darfur, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan Ameerah Haq and representatives of UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO and OCHA remain deeply concerned at the ongoing plight of civilians in the area.

After visiting Sirba and Sileah the team is calling again upon all parties to ensure the protection of civilians who have repeatedly borne the brunt of the intensified violence over the last few months. Whole communities were forced to flee after the latest attacks on a string of villages north of El Geneina. Those already displaced had to flee again for safety to the Jebel Moun area. Dozens of civilians died while many more were injured. Up to 58,000 people remain affected.

"The impact on communities is devastating," said Ms. Haq. "The United Nations in Sudan seeks strong assurances that civilians and their communities will be protected from such indiscriminate attacks. These civilians have a right to protection."

In addition to the burning of homes, the UN team also witnessed how civilian structures such as health clinics, schools, water systems and aid agencies' compounds had been looted or destroyed.

Ms. Haq also stressed the need for safe humanitarian access to affected communities, to continue recent efforts by the UN and its partners which have provided vital food, medical supplies, plastic sheeting and blankets as well as enabled engineers to restore and treat water supplies in some of the affected areas.

"We must have guarantees from all sides of unimpeded access to affected areas now, said Ms. Haq. We specifically ask JEM to allow us access."

The UN team was also concerned at the impact of the fighting on women and children particularly those who have become separated from their families and those who remain unaccounted for. Efforts are underway to trace them and reunify them with their families.

"Five years into this conflict, civilians are losing all hope in our ability to protect them and keep them safe," said Ms. Haq. "We have a collective responsibility to the people of Darfur, and that includes ensuring the support of the UN member states to enable UNAMID to deploy in these areas and action by the Government of Sudan to provide civilian police protection as a matter of urgency."

For more information please contact:
Orla Clinton, RC/HC Spokesperson, +249 91 2174454 clinton@un.org