El Fasher, 19 March 2014— The situation in Saraf Omar, North Darfur, has stabilized and the majority of the displaced community have returned to their homes after the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement between the warring communities. Nevertheless, some of those displaced who lost all their possessions and homes in the violence are still seeking protection outside the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)’s base in the town.

The displacements were as a result of heavy inter-communal violence that erupted in Saraf Omra, on 7 March.  According to humanitarian actors, an estimated 60,000 people were displaced from the town and neighbouring villages. Many of those displaced sought refuge in the vicinity of UNAMID’s base, while others moved to nearby villages in Central and West Darfur.

The United Nations family immediately responded through the coordinated provision of much needed humanitarian assistance and the deployment of additional peacekeepers to enhance the protection of the civilian population. In addition to security, the Mission provided water to those displaced as well as first aid and supported the local medical personnel in the setting up and operating of a temporary clinic to treat wounded people. The Mission evacuated 24 seriously injured individuals to El Fasher for medical treatment.

On 12 March, a reconciliation agreement was signed between the Abbala and Gimir tribes at UNAMID's base in Saraf Omra. The ceremony was attended by 50 members from each of the communities, a leader from the Tama tribe and UNAMID officials who served as mediators. The same day, assistance to the affected communities was further stepped with the distribution of food items by World Food Programme.

UNAMID continues to engage with the local reconciliation committee to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement. The committee has requested that the United Nations and humanitarian actors to provide further assistance in the form of water, as well as the rehabilitation of the local hospital and the continuation of enhanced security patrols in, and around, the town and surrounding villages. The tribal leaders also requested for the provision of non-food items for those displaced who lost their belongings, including their homes. In this regard, UNAMID continues to work closely with the humanitarian partners.