Al-Tina, July 13 (Darfur24)
Renewed fighting in North and West Darfur has displaced thousands of civilians, forcing many to flee to safer areas inside Sudan while others have crossed into Chad, as humanitarian workers warn of worsening conditions and overstretched aid services.
Last week, the Joint Force allied with the Sudanese army announced it had captured the border town of Kulbus, about 170 kilometres north of El Geneina. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) later said they had regained control of the town after the Joint Force withdrew north.
Musa Daoud, a volunteer in West Darfur, told Darfur24 that hundreds of residents fled across the border into Chad and sought refuge in the Kaliari camp after fighting erupted in Kulbus.
He said newly arrived refugees lack shelter, food and other basic assistance. The onset of the rainy season has further worsened conditions, while humanitarian agencies have yet to respond to the growing needs.
Daoud added that residents from more than 20 villages around Kulbus were also displaced to other parts of Sudan.
He urged humanitarian organizations to provide emergency shelter, food and sanitation facilities to prevent disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
Another volunteer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said large numbers of displaced people have also arrived in the Sudanese border town of Al-Tina while attempting to reach Chad.
The volunteer said many fled fighting in Abu Qumra in Karnoi locality, as well as battles in Kulbus and surrounding areas. Families travelled on foot, by donkey carts and on animals.
He warned that the number of arrivals has exceeded the capacity of emergency response teams and community initiatives, with more people expected as fighting spreads across North and West Darfur.
According to the volunteer, women, children and older people make up about half of the displaced, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and elderly people with chronic illnesses.
A volunteer with the Al-Tina Emergency Room said the group had supplied medicines and essential medical items to the Tantaba Health Centre to help serve both the host community and displaced families arriving from Jarjira, Kulbus and parts of North Darfur.
He said the growing influx of displaced people has placed severe pressure on the health centre, creating shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
“Despite this intervention, health needs continue to exceed available resources,” he said. “Sustained support is needed to ensure health services continue for thousands of civilians and displaced people.”
Karnoi, Ambro and the border town of Al-Tina remain among the last areas in Darfur under the control of the Sudanese army and the Joint Force after the RSF and allied groups expanded their control across much of the region, including El Fasher last October.