20 April 2011 – UNMIS today sent a team to deliver humanitarian aid to the people affected by violence in Al Rashad locality of Southern Kordofan last week.

Four villages in Al Rashad were targeted by violence from 13-14 April that resulted in the death of 19 persons and injury of 29. The victims were reportedly unarmed and predominantly Nuban civilians, attacked by Baggara tribesmen.

The attack left more than 200 houses torched and razed as well as 2,000 people displaced, including 50 families who have been settled in a school in Al Faid.

A convoy consisting of staff from UNMIS, the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the UN Population Fund left Kadugli this morning with several trucks containing assistance for victims. Save the Children (Sweden) also sent relief items.

"The assistance will be delivered to the people through the government's Humanitarian Aid Commission," said UNMIS Kadugli Head of Office Mark Rutgers.

The state government has provided the displaced persons with tents, while the inter-agency convoy took items including food rations, basic health and emergency health kits, plastic sheeting and kitchen sets.

Other urgent needs include provision of sanitation facilities, reconstruction of a school that was burnt down and establishment of a medical centre. The team will also identify vulnerable children and provide them with protection.

Sending off the convoy, Mr. Rutgers urged the team to continue to assess the situation in the area and determine how basic services like housing, health and education had been affected.

Violence in the locality has reinforced concerns about intimidation and violence during the state elections scheduled to be held from 2-4 May, and its effect on the conduct of elections in a free, fair and credible manner.