On 10 February 2015, UNAMID Force Commander, Lt General Paul Mella visited Tawila and Korma in North Darfur to assess the security situation following recent clashes in the areas.

Since January this year, thousands of newly displaced persons fled their homes around Tawila on account of armed attacks on their villages. They majority have settled in camps for displaced persons in Tawila. The Mission has been providing protection as well as water to the displaced in the camps.

Lt. General Mella visited Dabenera camp, located some 10 kilometers from the UNAMID team site, and met with Umda Abdelkarim Mohammed, who explained that the situation in the camp is dire with more people arriving every day from various villages, thereby straining the already meagre resources. He requested for urgent humanitarian aid.

A team of humanitarian actors have also conducted an assessment of the on-ground situation and are collaborating with local, nongovernmental organizations to provide water. Additionally, a mobile clinic has been set up to provide basic medical care to the displaced.

The Force Commander assured the community of the Mission’s commitment to provide protection, adding that UNAMID is working closely with humanitarian agents to deliver much-needed relief to the people.

In Korma, Lt. General Mella met with UNAMID peacekeepers who briefed on the security and operational situation in the area. Last year, some 18,000 newly displaced settled in the vicinity of the UNAMID base here following attacks on their villages. Currently, some 12,000 are still sheltering adjacent to the UNAMID compound.