Aerial bombings over the South Darfur town of Muhajeria, the scene of recent clashes between government forces and a rebel militia, have forced thousands of people to a UN peacekeepers base in search of safety, the joint African Union-UN mission to the region reported today.
UNAMID estimated that about 5,000 people have sought refuge in its base for a second time since fighting broke out last month between the government troops and the Justice and Equality Movement rebels.
The Deputy Governor of South Darfur gave assurances that the UN would receive continued access to provide emergency humanitarian relief to around 100,000 people caught up in the latest hostilities on Sudan's western flank.
At the same time, there was further hope for stability in the region when Government and JEM representatives met on Tuesday for the first time in two years to sign the "Agreement of Good Will and Confidence Building for the Settlement of the Problem in Darfur."
The hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force also reported that its police unit will conduct the first night patrols at a new community policing centre constructed between two large camps for refugees near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
The move means that the interim policing centre will provide 24-hour operations as part of UNAMID's efforts to enhance its protection of the tens of thousands of residents taking shelter at the Abu Shouk and El Salaam camps.