The displacement may be due to an escalation of operations by Government forces against armed opposition groups in and around Jebel Marra.

The Office had also received “unverified” reports of direct attacks on civilian villages in that area, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at Headquarters this afternoon.

“An inter-agency mission to Tawila in North Darfur is planned later this week to verify displacement figures and assess needs,” he added.

Requests for access to affected areas in Central Darfur have so far been denied due to the protracted violence.

In the meantime, the UN reiterates its call on all parties to the conflict in Darfur to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations.

Children in Jawa village, in East Jebel Marra (South Darfur). Photo: UNAMID/Albert González Farran