El Fasher, 7 April 2014 - The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is protecting newly internally displaced persons (IDPs) who gathered near the Mission’s base in Mellit, North Darfur, and is assisting the humanitarian community in delivering aid to them.

Since 1 April 2014, more than 2,000 people, mostly women and children, arrived at UNAMID's base in Mellit. These IDPs, who had come from Bowa and other villages located roughly 50 kilometres north-east of Mellit, reported that their villages were attacked by armed groups suspected to be members of Rapid Support Forces and militia elements at the end of March.

They reported that the attackers killed an unspecified number of people, stole livestock and burnt their homes. The displaced people also reported that on their way to Mellit, they saw other villages, including Hadi, Sani Haya and Wadibour, already burnt.

UNAMID peacekeepers are protecting the newly displaced are providing them with water and medical assistance. On 6 April, an inter-agency team visited Mellit to assess the situation and provided 1,000 kilograms of humanitarian items, such as plastic sheets, sleeping mats, water bladders, chlorine tablets, soap, high-energy biscuits for children and other items, to assist the displaced people.
 

On 6 April, a UNAMID engineer works in the construction of secure perimeter in Khor Abeche. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran.

Meanwhile, in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, about 3,000 IDPs are continuing to take refuge inside UNAMID’s compound, where they have received food and other aid from the humanitarian community. UNAMID peacekeepers continue to provide them with potable water and healthcare services.

A team of UNAMID engineers are working in securing the IDP camp located next to the Mission's base. When completed, it will have a secure perimeter covering an area of 70,000 square metres, watch towers, solar lights, two community centres and latrines. The IDPs currently inside UNAMID’s base will be able to settle in the near future in this secure area, which is designed to provide them with enhanced physical protection.

Displaced people take refuge inside UNAMID's base in Khor Abeche. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran, UNAMID.