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Sudan: Darfur Humanitarian Overview (1 April 2017)

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Sudan
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OCHA
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HIGHLIGHTS

In Darfur, intermittent conflict and inter-communal tensions continue to impact civilians, notably women and children, and also prevent the return of displaced people to their areas of origin. While in some areas access has improved, access to other areas, including where there is active conflict, remains restricted.

According to the 2017 Humanitarian Needs Overview, about 3 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. Following improved access for verification of displacement in Darfur (mainly in Central Darfur) during the first quarter of 2017, the 2016 displacement figures have been revised. In 2016, approximately 158,600 people were newly displaced across Darfur, according to the UN and partners. Up to an additional 6,000 people were also reportedly displaced (in addition to about 122,600 who were displaced in 2016 and have reportedly returned), but the UN and partners have been unable to verify these figures due to a lack of access to the relevant locations. The vast majority of displacement in 2016 was triggered by conflict in the Jebel Marra area. About 36,500 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Darfur in 1st quarter of 2017, bringing their total number in the region since December 2013 to about 121,300 people.

Since 2009, resources allocated to address humanitarian needs in Darfur have been insufficient, which, in addition to lack of access, has led to a drop in the number of aid workers. Prior to 2009, there were 17,700 national and international aid workers in Darfur. As of January 2017, there are 4,208 aid workers (97 per cent of whom are national staff) in international humanitarian organisations in Darfur.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.