HIGHLIGHTS
In Darfur, intermittent conflict and inter-communal tensions continue to severely impact civilians, notably women and children, and also prevent the return of displaced people to their areas of origin. While in some areas access has improved, access to other areas, including where there is active conflict, remains restricted.
According to the 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview, some 3.3 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. In 2016, 97,481 people were newly displaced (and remain displaced) across Darfur, according to the UN and partners. Up to an additional 99,435 people were also reportedly displaced during the year, but the UN and partners have been unable to verify this figure due to access constraints in relevant locations. In addition, 39,647 people who were displaced in 2016 have reportedly returned, including 25,564 in Golo, Central Darfur, who were verified and assisted by WFP. The vast majority of displacement in 2016 was triggered by conflict in the Jebel Marra area. About 84,000 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Darfur in 2016, bringing the total number of refugees in the region to about 94,000 people.
Since 2009, resources allocated to address humanitarian needs in Darfur have been insufficient, which, in addition to lack of access, has led to a drop in the number of aid workers. Prior to 2009, there were 17,700 national and international aid workers in Darfur. As of January 2017, there are 4,208 aid workers (97 per cent of whom are national staff) in international humanitarian organisations in Darfur.