2013 ‘worst year for Darfur camps’: displaced association

The Association of Displaced Persons and Refugees of Darfur has described 2013 as “the worst for Darfur camps”, as record numbers of displaced struggle in abysmal conditions throughout the region. “In terms of the deterioration of security, economy, living conditions, and high influx rates of newly displaced people, our assessment shows that this year has been the worst so far,” the spokesman for the Association, Hussein Abu Sharati, told Radio Dabanga. “The situation requires international organisations and those working in the humanitarian rights field to move urgently to provide relief, humanitarian aid and security in Darfur,” he stressed. Abu Sharati appealed via Radio Dabanga to the international community to provide security and food for displaced people, especially the newly displaced ones. Reports that reached Radio Dabanga on Monday exemplify the situation. Sheikh Mahjoub Adam Tabaldiya of El Salam camp in Nyala says that militiamen has surrounded the camp for the second consecutive day. “On Monday, they intercepted displaced people coming from Nyala. They beat Jabir Yousuf Ahmed and Aldouma Adam and then stole their property, including two donkeys and cell phones.” Sheikh Tabaldiya told Radio Dabanga that members of the militia “fired into the air over the camp on Sunday evening using various kinds of weapons, which sparked terror and panic in the hearts of the displaced.” The sheikh criticised an agreement reached by the displaced and the government regarding a night-time ceasefire at the camps. “Where is this ceasefire agreement reached in the presence of Unamid and the government? Unamid is failing to act to protect the displaced,” he said, appealing via Radio Dabanga to the State government and Unamid to take immediate action to extend security and put an end to the actions of the militias. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: Night-time ceasefire ‘to improve security’ at El Salam camp, South Darfur (4 June 2013)