Tens of thousands of people have fled intensified bombings and clashes in North and Central Darfur, the United Nations reported.
14,770 people are taking refuge near a team of African Union-United Nations (UNAMID) peacekeepers in Sortoni, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
“That’s an increase of more than 50 percent in just 24 hours – which is reportedly the result of intensified bombings carried out during Monday afternoon.” Dujarric said.
Dujarric said UNAMID received reports that 19 villages were burned near Rockero, north Jebel Marra, in Central Darfur during clashes, forcing residents to flee to Sortoni, Kabkabiya, Tawila, and nearby mountains.
About 19,000 people fled to North Darfur state, as well as 15,000 into Central Darfur in the past two weeks, Dujarric said.
The UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan Marta Ruedas called for safe and unfettered delivery of relief to the diplaced.