UNICEF emergency supplies flown in as crisis worsens in Darfur | WPN World People News

UNICEF flew in emergency supplies in response to the growing influx of displaced persons into Um Baru locality, north east of the State capital, El Fasher, in North Darfur on 28 January. Over the last two weeks some 4,000 additional people have arrived to the locality, most of them are women and children. Their number continues to increase daily.

“The deepening humanitarian crisis in Darfur is worrying,” said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative in Sudan. “Children have no responsibility in any of the conflict, but are at risk of having both their present and future jeopardized.”

Set to benefit an initial 4,500 affected persons in Um Baru, the supplies flown in include high energy biscuit and medical kits with essential drugs and equipment for the management of common childhood diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea on 28 January. Additionally, plastic sheets, blankets, hygiene kits, chlorine tabs, washing soap, jerry cans and other non-food items are ready to be air lifted in the coming week.

The conflict in and around Um Baru is not an isolated crisis but one of a growing number of active armed conflicts across Darfur and in South Kordofan. In Darfur alone, over 21,000 people have been displaced since the start of the year. An estimated 60 per cent of them are children.

UNICEF expresses grave concern over the growing negative impact of these conflicts on children.

“UNICEF renews its urgent and firm call to all parties to the conflict to implement concrete measures to protect children at all times from the impact of the conflict and prevent any violations of their rights,” Cappelaere said.

Source: United Nations Children's Fund