HIGHLIGHTS
Intensified attacks on trucks including WFP convoys in South Darfur halts food delivery between El Fasher and Nyala and a transporter withdraws trucks from operating in Ishma, Labado and Muhajiriya in South Darfur
Insecurity in West Darfur impedes food dispatches and assessments due to movement restrictions
WFP reaches an unprecedented 2.45 million beneficiaries in August despite heavy rains and insecurity
Jet fuel supply is observed to be improving in El Obeid and Khartoum
Additional 6x6 trucks belonging to WFP are deployed to El Fasher and Nyala to augment deliveries within the Darfurs
HUMANITARIAN & SECURITY SITUATION
Security levels deteriorated in Darfur during the reporting week. Rampant fighting and attacks on trucks are raising serious concerns on the safety of humanitarian staff in Darfur.
South Darfur: Repeated attacks on trucks in Menawashi were reported during the week. On 8 September, nine WFP trucks were attacked in Menawashi while transporting food from El Fasher to Nyala. Armed men forced the trucks off the road into the bushes where an estimated 50 armed men were hiding. The drivers were ordered to remove the tarpaulins from the trucks and load them, together with other personal belongings, onto camels, before being released. This report follows two previous incidents of armed banditry against commercial trucks in the same location on 5 September during which one passenger was killed and a driver seriously wounded. There was another attack on two commercial trucks transporting WFP food on 10 September. Approximately eight bags of food together with the tarpaulins of the trucks and personal belongings of the drivers were stolen.
The sequence of events in Menawashi, as well as targeted insecurity in Ishma, Um Zeifa and Labado areas, prompted the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to meet with the National Security. Meetings were also held with "Janjaweed" leaders in Menawashi as well as Khor Abeche, Neitega, Mershing and Al Malam to address the issue of repeated attacks on UN agencies and relief supplies in these areas. In the meantime, UNDSS has declared the road between Menawashi and El Fasher in North Darfur closed to UN movement, pending security assessments.
Meanwhile, continued attacks and looting in Ishma, Labado and Muhajariya has led to one contracted transporter's withdrawal of trucks from operating in these areas.
Clashes between rebel groups were reported in Kunja, approximately 120 km northwest of Nyala. UNICEF and Samaritan Purse relocated their staff from nearby Feina.
West Darfur: Following escalating insecurity in West Darfur, particularly the increasing trend of attacks against humanitarian workers, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) visited Geneina on 5 September. The HC met with GoS authorities, UN agencies and the African Union (AU) to discuss the deteriorating security situation in West Darfur.
Fears of potential clashes near Jebel Moon between nomads and a Chadian rebel group have raised security concerns. It was reported that the rebel group attacked nomads in an area southeast of Sileah, killing several people and looting a large amount of livestock. The UNDSS reported that the nomads are mobilizing to retaliate. The rebel group has been observed to be spreading across central West Darfur near Masteri, Beida, Goker, Mornie and Sanidadi.
All roads between Geneina, Habilah, Mornie and Masteri continue to be declared unsafe for movement without AU and/or GoS security escorts. In addition, a portion of the road between Sisi and Mornie and areas close to Jebel Moon between Sileah and Aru Sharow have also been declared unsafe to free UN movement due to insecurity.
North Darfur: On 9 September, fighting broke out in the Tawila market, killing three people and wounding 19 others. International NGOs, Relief International, Save the Children Sweden and Oxfam, evacuated their staff to El Fasher town and some IDPs were reported to have fled the camp. UNDSS is closely monitoring the situation. ICRC has made a request through OCHA to the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to deploy an emergency surgical team into Tawila following reports of some 30 people who are in need of urgent medical attention. The GoS has reported that the situation is now under control and that agencies can return to the area.
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