22 February 2011 - 

In response to recent clashes and aerial bombardment in North Darfur, UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari has directed the Mission’s military and police components to increase patrols in the Shangil Tobaya area to further their protection to civilians. He also appealed directly to parties to cease further hostilities and to enable access for humanitarian relief to those in need.

A UNAMID mission which set out from Shangil Tobaya on 20 February to Wadi Mura, Um Kadadari and Um Shisha villages in North Darfur has found them largely deserted, with most of the inhabitants having fled to Abu Zerega village and Zam Zam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp.

Signs of recent aerial bombardment were visible, however only three homes in Um Shisha were reportedly destroyed. Although several cattle have been killed, no civilian casualties have been reported,.

In response to the mass displacement, UNAMID has begun providing water to Shangil Tobaya and Zamzam camps. UNAMID and a number of UN Country Team agencies will also embark on an emergency needs assessment mission as soon as the conditions on the ground permit. The Mission is also working with the local authorities to allocate additional space in Zamzam camp to shelter the new IDPs. 

Meanwhile, in response to a recent warning issued by Mr. Minni Minnawi, leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/MM) movement, that airports in Sudan in general, and Darfur in particular, have been designated by his movement as military targets and are susceptible to attacks, JSR Gambari issued a strong statement followed by a phone conversation with the movement’s leadership to warn on the grave consequences of any actions that may harm civilian populations, international personnel and operations or hamper the provision of crucial humanitarian assistance in Darfur. He also reiterated that an attack on peacekeepers, given their role in Darfur, would be a war crime under international law.

On Sunday 20 February, following a fire outbreak in Muhajeria, South Darfur, UNAMID peacekeepers stationed there helped the local population fight the flames. A large number of houses were destroyed. The full extent of the damage is yet to be known.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Mayada Umbadda, Media Relations; umbadda@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 250 1966