New York, July 23(Darfur24)The United Nations warned on Wednesday of a deteriorating health situation in North Darfur state with escalating violence and disease outbreaks in the Tawila internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
The United Nations renewed its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, unhindered access across conflict lines and borders, and increased international support to address the growing humanitarian needs across the country.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in his daily press briefing that the United Nations and its partners have revised and expanded response plans to address the massive needs of more than 380,000 displaced people in Tawila locality in North Darfur, including 327,000 people—the majority of whom are women and children—who fled Zamzam camp and surrounding areas following the outbreak of hostilities there in mid-April.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the updated plan aims to increase assistance over the next three months, focusing on food, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter, and protection. He indicated that an estimated $120 million is urgently needed to implement the plan and scale up the response.
Cholera and Measles
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that the health situation in North Darfur is rapidly deteriorating, with cases of cholera, measles, and malaria on the rise in the Tawila area, as well as in El Fasher and Kabkabiya, all in North Darfur State.
OCHA said that widespread internet outages in El Fasher and a shortage of rapid diagnostic tests are severely hampering disease surveillance, confirming that more than 32 health facilities in the city have closed due to insecurity.
A severe shortage of vaccines, essential medicines, and surgical supplies is pushing the health system to the brink of collapse, leaving thousands without access to the care they need to survive. Meanwhile, displacement continues to take a heavy toll on civilians trying to find safety.
Rising Prices
In South Darfur, markets are experiencing sharp price increases, driven by seasonal flooding and rivers that have cut off supply routes from Chad and Northern State, according to the United Nations.
Assessments conducted by the United Nations and its partners in Nyala, the state capital, reported a 21 percent increase in the price of a 50-kilogram bag of sugar in just one month, while wheat flour prices jumped by 31 percent, exacerbating food insecurity for already vulnerable families.
In West Kordofan State, OCHA expressed grave concern about the escalating violence, noting that at least five civilians were killed and several others injured in drone strikes on fuel markets in the towns of Al-Fula and Abu Zabad on Monday, according to local reports. Massive fires destroyed both markets, naturally causing panic among residents.