Sudan conflict: NGO says nearly 200 people killed in Darfur fighting
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - An international charity organisation operating in West Darfur state in Sudan has strongly condemned the violence in Genaina, West Darfur state in Sudan, which has resulted in the loss of at least 191 lives, including one of its community volunteers.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in a statement issued on Wednesday said dozens of settlements have been burnt and destroyed, and thousands have been displaced. The NRC office and guesthouse have also been looted.
“We mourn the loss of our volunteer, Elsheikh Mohamed Omer, who was himself displaced, and was dedicated to supporting his community,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC said.
The statement said Elsheikh was killed in an informal settlement in Genaina, on Sunday 30 April, where he had been working as part of a team which supports camp management through a range of important activities like community outreach, messaging, and data collection. The work is currently suspended due to the security situation.
“The killing of scores of civilians and the complete disrespect for civilian infrastructure is unacceptable. The stories coming out of there describe a hell on earth where displaced families see their precarious shelters turned to ashes, humanitarian offices looted, warehouses pillaged, and nothing is left.”
NRC said that the violence began on 25 April in the capital of West Darfur with heavy armed clashes between various local armed groups. Days of intensive fighting in the middle of the city have caused widespread destruction and burning of property.
Health facilities, the central market, humanitarian premises, and public buildings were looted. The situation has caused widespread panic and forced many people to flee for their lives. Pillaging, burning, and targeting of civilian homes within Genaina continues.
The NRC said it was deeply concerned for the safety of those affected by this rampant violence, including for colleagues who have had their homes burned and looted.
“This is devastating. It’s the fourth time in three years that civilians and internally displaced people in Genaina are caught in senseless violence,” Egeland said.
West Darfur has been at the heart of boiling violence in Darfur, with regular and deliberate attacks on civilians since 2021. Those who saw their shelters burned down over recent days were already survivors of horrific violence, living in complete destitution in urban settlements.
Displaced communities are desperately looking for safety and are gathering in the remaining sites, all of them already overcrowded.
The appalling scenes of violence and bloodshed continue unabated in the fighting, particularly in the capital Khartoum, and Genaina.
-0- PANA MO/MA 3May2023
