Jebel Marra Crisis Fact Sheet Issue 3 I 2 March 2016

KEY FACTS

• Thousands of civilians have been displaced from the Jebel Marra area in Sudan’s Darfur region since midJanuary 2016 as a result of increased hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Abdul Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/AW). Hostilities continue to be reported in the Jebel Marra and prospects for the newly displaced remain uncertain. Displacement could increase if hostilities continue.

• As of 28 February 2016, more than an estimated 92,000 people from Jebel Marra had arrived in four locations in North Darfur State, the vast majority of whom are women and children. This is an increase of 7,000 people compared to 22 February. Estimates for Central Darfur vary between 3,350 and 50,000; confirmation of these numbers by the United Nations has not been possible due to lack of access. Close to 1,000 newly displaced people from Jebel Marra have been reported in Kass, South Darfur.

• Aid organisations continue to scale up the response in North Darfur and food, water, sanitation, emergency shelter, household supplies, protection, nutrition and health-related needs are being met, but significant gaps remain (see table on p. 3). The delivery of assistance to all of those in need is hampered by relative isolation of the two main sites where displaced people are arriving, which presents logistical challenges.

• Verification of the new IDPs is ongoing and by 28 February about 65,800 newly displaced people had been verified in North Darfur. This includes about 46,800 people in Sortony and another 19,000 people in Tawilla.

KEY MESSAGES

1. Civilians - especially women and children - continue to bear the brunt of conflict in Sudan. The United Nations calls upon all parties to ensure that civilians and civilian objects are protected in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.

2. The United Nations calls for immediate, safe and unfettered access to all people in need, wherever they may be located, so that affected people can receive the humanitarian assistance they require. In particular, the United Nations urges all parties to the conflict to allow the United Nations and its partners to reach displaced people in Central Darfur.

3. Emergency supplies have been delivered to many of the newly displaced people but more support will be required until they are able to return home.

4. The United Nations is calling for a cessation of hostilities so that humanitarian organisations can assess and respond to those most in need of humanitarian assistance.