Khartoum, September 19(Darfur 24) The clashes that took place in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, during the past two days led to more civilian casualties, while renewed clashes in the state of South Darfur resulted in the displacement of a large number of people from the city of Nyala, according to a United Nations spokesman.
In his daily press conference, Stephane Dujarric said that more than 5.1 million people have fled their homes in Sudan since the outbreak of clashes in mid-April, including 4.1 million internally displaced people and more than a million people who have taken refuge outside the country’s borders.
“Newly displaced families are arriving in areas that were already facing challenges due to existing crises, while basic services are being depleted,” Dujarric said. According to our partners, since the beginning of the current conflict, at least 435 children have been killed and another 500 have died from hunger – but the true number is likely much higher.”
For its part, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned of the effects of continued heavy rains and floods across the country, with more than 80,000 people affected and about 12,000 homes damaged since July.
The office indicated that partners in the humanitarian field are intensifying their efforts and continuing to assist people in dire need despite the lack of funding, as at least 3.5 million people have received assistance since April.
Dujarric said Sudan’s $2.6 billion humanitarian response plan, which seeks to help 18 million people, is just over 25 percent funded.
It is noteworthy that an event is expected to be organized on Wednesday on the sidelines of the general debate of the General Assembly in an effort to mobilize resources and show support for the Sudanese people.