Khartoum: Governor of the Darfur Region and commander Minni Arko Minawi on Sunday held discussions with a delegation from the Native Administration of Al-Malha Locality, led by King of the All Midob Native Administration Mohamed Al-Tom, concerning the critical humanitarian situation, food security, and health conditions in the locality and other areas in the region facing severe challenges. The meeting was attended by Humanitarian Aid Commissioner of the Darfur Regional Government, Engineer Abdel-Bagi Mohamed Hamid.
According to Sudan News Agency, Minawi expressed the regional government's deep concern over the living conditions in Al-Malha Locality and surrounding areas, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance efforts to address shortages in food, medicine, and health services. This concern is particularly pressing given the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) arriving from El-Fashir and settling in various localities throughout the region.
Minawi instructed the Ministry of Health of the regional government to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and UNICEF to ensure the delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies across the Darfur Region. He underscored the importance of a swift response to the health needs of both citizens and displaced individuals.
The Governor also highlighted plans to resolve the suspension of commercial vehicle movements that transport food, commodities, and medicines to the region. This initiative involves coordinating with the Wali of Northern State and security agencies to secure safe passage for commercial vehicles and protect traders and their goods from potential looting and attacks on routes leading to Darfur.
Engineer Abdel-Bagi Mohamed Hamid, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, stated that the commission is actively working with the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP) to tackle the ongoing humanitarian and health crises in several localities throughout the region.
Coordination is reportedly underway with the World Food Programme to send food convoys to Al-Malha, Shiareya, Khazan Jadeed, Sawaqi Amra, Kutum, Om Baru, Kornoy, and Al-Tina localities, which are hosting significant numbers of people displaced from El-Fasher.
Deputy General Head of the Midob Administration, Ali Abdullah Fadl, disclosed that three individuals had died and 36 others were infected with kala-azar in Wadi Al-Akhdar and Om Bayada within Al-Malha Locality. He stressed the urgent need for intervention to prevent further deterioration of the health and humanitarian situation.
Fadl indicated that Al-Malha and Kutum localities, along with Donki Baashoum, Anka, and other areas, are experiencing dire humanitarian conditions due to irregular supplies of food, relief assistance, and medicines, exacerbating the struggles of both citizens and displaced persons.
The acute shortage of medicines and food assistance, coupled with deteriorating living conditions, necessitates immediate action from relevant authorities and humanitarian organizations. Fadl noted that insufficient rainfall in northern North Darfur State has worsened living conditions, leading to livestock deaths and malnutrition among children and the elderly, highlighting the critical need to bolster humanitarian and health interventions urgently.