Aller au contenu principal

Sudan: Inter-communal conflict - Kereneik & Ag Geneina, West Darfur Flash Update No. 04 (9 May 2022) [EN/AR]

Pays
Soudan
Sources
OCHA
Date de publication
Origine
Voir l'original

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Executive Director of Kereneik reported that about 98,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.

  • At least 165 people were killed and 136 injured during the clashes, according to local authorities.

  • WFP plans to distribute food to over 130,000 people affected by the conflict in Kereneik, including some 12,400 people from the nomad community.

  • Partners estimate that 8,000 children need protection support.

  • Humanitarians are targeting 8,000 families (40,000 people) in Kereneik for shelter and non-food item assistance.

  • Humanitarians are targeting 8,000 families (40,000 people) in Kereneik for shelter and non-food item assistance.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Fighting between Arab nomads and Masalit tribes in West Darfur’s Kereneik and Ag Geneina localities was last reported on 25 April. The fighting between the two communities started on 22 April following the discovery of two deceased Arab nomads on 21 April near Hashaba village in Kereneik locality. The security situation improved after the deployment of security forces in Kereneik town, and no fighting has been reported. Security forces deployed to Kereneik will remain in the locality to protect the farming season and help in reconciliation activities. More security forces will be deployed to the locality.

The Executive Director of Kereneik reported that at least 165 people were killed and 136 people were injured during the clashes. In addition, an estimated 98,000 people (19,600 families) have been displaced in 16 gathering sites in Kereneik town, while about 12,500 nomads (2,493 families) have been affected by the conflict. There are also reports of many families in Kereneik hosting IDP families. During the conflict, 16 villages across Kereneik locality were a¬ffected, of which six were completely looted and burned, according to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM).

The Executive Director of Kereneik locality reported that the majority of those who took refuge in the military camp have returned to their homes leaving behind those whose villages were burned and who now need urgent shelter assistance. The Federal Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) sent tents for distribution to the returnees, food, non-food items (NFIs) and provided them with water assistance. Local authorities have asked humanitarian partners to provide more shelter assistance. The priority needs in Kereneik identified during missions carried out on 30 April (NGOs) and 4 May (UN Inter-Agency) include access to safe water, food, shelter and non-food items (S/NFIs), health services, and medicines. During the mission, partners provided initial health, S/NFIs and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies, and repaired three water pumps damaged during the conflict. The Executive Director of Kereneik commended humanitarian efforts to assist the nomadic community as this will reduce tensions between the communities and improve reconciliation efforts.

On 4 May, the state security committee met with nomad leaders, who indicated they welcomed reconciliation and were ready to sign a peace agreement with the Masalit. To show good faith, the nomads have secured the Kereneik – Ag Geneina road, which is now open for movement. They will also secure the Kereneik – Umtajok, Kereneik – Um Shalaya, and Kereneik – Mukshasha roads in the coming days.

SECTOR UPDATE & RESPONSE

Education

According to reports received, 12 schools were either looted or burned while 23 schoolchildren and six teachers were reportedly killed, and 23 students were injured during the conflict. All schools in Kereneik town are closed and most of the schools are occupied by the new IDPs. Over 1,496 Grade 6 and 8 students in Kereneik town are expected to take the national general examinations on 16 and 28 May. Since some of the schools were damaged during the conflict the students need support to take these exams. The rehabilitation of affected education facilities; provision of furniture; the training of teachers and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) on education in emergencies (EiE) and peacebuilding; bringing in teachers; and supplying student kits are a priority. Partners are planning to carry out a damage assessment for education facilities to determine response activities.

Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL)

Food and livelihood needs are high as many people lost all their food stocks and possessions during the conflict and are unable to carry out their usual livelihood activities.

Response

  • Following the violent clashes in Kereneik and Ag Geneina, West Darfur, on 22-25 April, WFP had to temporarily suspend food distributions. Since 3 May, food dispatches to Kereneik are ongoing, with plans to reach a total of 130,210 affected people in Kereneik over the next 10 days, including some 12,405 people from the nomad community. As of 8 May, a total of 18,005 IDPs in Aboja and Umdowin of Kereneik were reached with cereals, pulses and Plumpy ‘Doz.

  • WFP is also planning to resume food and CBT distributions for over 238,000 people in other parts of West Darfur later this week.

  • Meanwhile, UNHAS stopped flying in and out of Ag Geneina on 23-28 April, but flights resumed since 29 April, mainly to relocate staff out of Ag Geneina.

  • FAO will provide livestock emergency services in Kereneik.

Health and Nutrition

Health and nutrition services were disrupted due to the conflict. In Galala, the health facility is not functioning due to a lack of medical staff. Medical supplies are available at the health facility. In Kereneik, the hospital is fully functional except for the operation room which does not have staff. Kereneik hospital receives about 400 patients a day which is too much for the three medical staff and one midwife currently available. All immunization services have stopped, but vaccines are available. Nutrition services have started but Ready-to-Use Therapeutic food (RUCF) supplies have run out and some supplies were looted. Nutrition partners plan to carry out a mass mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening among children under five years of age.

Response

  • Efforts are underway to identify medical personnel from the community in Galala to work and to get staff seconded by the State Ministry of Health (SMoH).

  • A mobile clinic from Ag Geneina will be sent to Galala to provide health services.

  • A doctor has been deployed from Khartoum to Kereneik hospital.

Protection

All community-based protection networks have been disrupted. Humanitarian partners have observed many elderly people at the gathering sites in Kereneik as well as people with special needs (PSN). Psychosocial support (PSS) needs are high among the affected communities, but available staff is limited. In addition, people, including children, are at risk of abuse and many gender-based violence (GBV) cases have been reported during the conflict.

Response

  • Community-based protection networks will be established to monitor protection issues and UNHCR will train members of the networks.

  • Cash interventions and PSS will be provided.

Child protection

There are reports that 24 children were killed and 28 injured/maimed during the violence. There is a high risk of abuse and children do not feel safe. Community-based networks have been disrupted and there are no child-friendly spaces. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) risks are also high, and four children were seriously injured when a UXO exploded.

Response

  • Partners estimate that about 8,000 children need protection support.

  • PSS will be provided to children through mobile child-friendly spaces.

  • Mine-risk awareness will be carried out.

  • Recreational kits are expected from Khartoum.

Gender-based violence

Several GBV incidents have been reported including cases of sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Response

  • Humanitarians have dispatched 4,000 dignity kits for distribution in Kereneik.

  • A women’s safe space will be constructed.

  • Community protection networks will be re-established.

Shelter and non-food items (S/NFIs)

Humanitarian partners are targeting 8,000 families (40,000 people) for S/NFI assistance.

Response

  • 2,000 NFI kits have been distributed.

  • An additional 3,000 NFI kits will be transported to Kereneik soon.

  • More S/NFI kits will be moved from other areas to Kereneik.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Many of the water yards were damaged during the conflict and fuel was stolen and the majority of the IDPs in Kereneik are drinking water from unprotected sources, which could lead to possible health risks.

Response

  • More WASH staff will be sent to Kereneik to coordinate response and ensure that supplies reach the people in need.

  • UNICEF sent five barrels of fuel for water yards.

  • Water bladders were sent to replace those damaged.

  • Supplies of soap, jerry cans and hygiene dignity kits were sent to Kereneik for distribution.

For more information read the previous flash updates:

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