Today's top news: Sudan, South Sudan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo

#Sudan

El Fasher: humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate

OCHA remains gravely concerned by the escalating violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in and around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State.

Local partners have provided deeply disturbing reports of atrocities following the reported takeover of Zamzam displacement camp by armed groups. Civilians, including humanitarian workers, are reportedly being prevented from leaving, and survivors have spoken of targeted killings, sexual violence and the burning of homes.

Local sources report people continue to move to areas including Jebel Marra and Tawila, amidst a highly volatile security situation and continuing attacks.

Access constraints, a critical fuel shortage and a volatile security environment are severely disrupting humanitarian operations in El Fasher. Health services and water treatment have been particularly affected.

Meanwhile, in Khartoum State, drone attacks on 14 April on power infrastructure have left large parts of the districts of Um Badda, Karrari and Omdurman without electricity or clean water. Partners warn that most water plants are no longer operational, and a major water station serving the cities of Atbara and Ad Damar now requires emergency diesel support to function.

Once again, OCHA calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. They also urge increased international support to ensure essential services and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan continue.

#South Sudan

Political crisis could trigger "humanitarian nightmare" in South Sudan

Addressing the Security Council today, Edem Wosornu, OCHA’s Director of Operations and Advocacy, cautioned that averting the political crisis in South Sudan is critical so that a humanitarian nightmare does not unfold in the country.

Wosornu, speaking on behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, noted that, this year, 9.3 million South Sudanese – some three quarters of the population – need humanitarian aid this year.

She warned of the humanitarian impact of the rapidly escalating violence, with aid work severely undermined by unprecedented funding cuts.

Wosornu appealed for immediate and sustained action to prevent a further deterioration of the situation, as well as for all parties to recommit to fully adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. She also stressed that, without immediate and flexible funding, humanitarians will be unable to sustain and scale up humanitarian response commensurate with the high levels of need.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Total blockade on aid enters seventh week

OCHA reports that hostilities across the Strip continue to take a devastating toll on civilians, causing further death, displacement and destruction of critical infrastructure. 

Humanitarian partners estimate that since 18 March, some 420,000 people have been newly displaced or uprooted once more. This is in addition to the hundreds of thousands repeatedly displaced prior to the ceasefire.

OCHA reports that tents are no longer available for distribution across Gaza. In the town of Bani Suhaila in Khan Younis Governorate, for example, families who had recently been displaced received only modest quantities of blankets, tarpaulins and sealing-off materials.

Last week, OCHA visited displacement sites in Khan Younis. Most of the people there are living in overcrowded shelters and have reported needing shelter, food, water and medicine.

Meanwhile, humanitarian partners report a rise in acute malnutrition in the Strip. The lack of supplies is also affecting the implementation of therapeutic treatment programs. In March, the number of children who received supplementary feeding decreased by more than two thirds, according to partners.

Additionally, access constraints hinder the ability to resupply the hospitals with medical stocks, putting more patients at risk. Humanitarians are finding it increasingly difficult to operate as the total blockade on aid enters its seventh week, military operations expand, and attacks on civilians, including aid workers, continue.

OCHA says that Israeli authorities continue to deny planned coordinated missions. Today, only two out of six planned humanitarian movements that were coordinated with the Israeli authorities, were facilitated. The remaining four were denied, including one mission to retrieve fuel from Rafah, which is urgently needed.

Despite access restrictions and insecurity, aid organizations continue to try to save lives and assist the most vulnerable. Every day, community kitchens prepare more than one million meals for vulnerable people across Gaza. But these quantities hardly suffice, as most of the 2.1 million people there rely on humanitarian aid to access food.

OCHA reminds us that under international humanitarian law, civilians, including aid workers and medical staff and their facilities, must be respected and protected, and the essential needs of civilians must be met.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Violence in the east country continues to harm civilians

OCHA reports that violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to harm civilians.

In North Kivu province, local civil society sources report that armed groups killed at least 9 civilians in attacks on a number of villages in Beni territory between 10 and 14 April. Two civilians were also killed on 14 April in separate clashes between armed groups in Rutshuru territory.

Despite the insecurity, relief efforts continue. On 14 April, local health authorities provided 1.5 tons of medical supplies to the Kibua General Hospital in Walikale territory. Kibua Hospital had been looted in early April by armed groups, disrupting access to health care for nearly 130,000 people.

In Ituri province, the alarming escalation in violence that we’ve flagged in recent weeks continues. Our humanitarian partners report that 6,000 people fled their homes in Mahagi territory following attacks by armed groups on 12 April. They urgently need food, shelter and medical care. Two civilians were also kidnapped in the attacks and remain missing.

In Tanganyika province, health officials have warned of a surge in measles cases and deaths among children. So far this year, health authorities have reported 900 cases and 21 deaths, and officials believe the true toll is higher. OCHA and our partners have helped local authorities to deploy a rapid response team to affected areas, as well as supported outreach and awareness-raising efforts.