June 16, 2011 (JUBA) - Intense fighting in South Kordofan has displaced over 60,000 people, with more than 35,000 believed to be heading to El Obeid in North Kordofan, the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs declared on 15 June.

On 5 June, fighting broke out in the key northern border state of South Kordofan between the northern army – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), raising fears of a possible return to war, just weeks before South Sudan becomes independent on the 9 July.

The clash followed an ultimatum issued by the northern army ordering their southern counterparts to vacate the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile; two of the regions which border South Sudan.

Insecurity in Kaduguli, the South Kordofan capital has reportedly limited humanitarian organisations from either re-allocating their staff from the town or blocked re-supply of stocks in the region.

“The ongoing insecurity and restrictions on movement of humanitarian actors continue to severely limit humanitarian access to the displaced civilians in and around Kadugli town and other areas,” reveals the UN’s assessment report.

In a related development, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) says an estimated 6,000 displaced people are currently being hosted by communities in El Obeid, while another estimated 700-800 people, mainly members of the Nuba tribe, with the majority being women and children are reportedly displaced in the bus market in El Obeid.

As part of an inter-agency response, members of the humanitarian country team have appealed for humanitarian corridors, particularly between Kasugai and El Obeid, to enable safe passage to persons who wish to leave.

Also, efforts are under way to improve the rapidly deteriorating health situation. A total of 10 specialist doctors, according to the UN, have been sent by the health ministry to assist in emergency medical aid. In some areas like Heiban and Dorein, non-governmental organisations are reportedly supporting seven primary health care units in the region.

Over 26,000 people in Kadugli, Kauda, Talodi, Heiban, Um Durein and Al Rashad have reportedly benefited from short term food assistance provided by World Food Programme and its partners.

Meanwhile, the UN has initiated daily inter-sectoral coordination meetings, which are being held in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum as a mechanism to ensure that sector response plans are fully updated to reflect situations on the ground.

(ST)