Central Darfur nutrition centres closed

The supplementary nutrition centres run by relief organisation Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) in Hamidiya and Hassahissa camps in Zalingei, Central Darfur, were closed on Tuesday based on the state government’s refusal to renew NCA’s contract. The coordinator of the Central Darfur camps reported this to Radio Dabanga, saying that he refuses to shut-down the centres. He pointed out that large numbers of children and mothers suffering of malnutrition owing to the World Food Programme’s reduction of food rations: “The families do not have food cards and the cost of living is high. The displaced are now trapped. The security situation and threat of militia attacks mean that they cannot go out and earn a living, nor do they receive sufficient aid to relieve their hunger.” The coordinator appealed to the international community and humanitarian organisations to pay serious attention to the issues of displaced persons. The Governor of Central Darfur, Jaafar Abdel Hakam, has called upon Unamid, as well as national and international humanitarian organisations, to intervene urgently in Um Dukhun locality. The Governor made his appeal during a meeting with Unamid in which he received an orientation by Abdallah Khamis, Chairman of the State Board of Peace and Reconciliation. He confirmed the deterioration in the humanitarian situations of the Salamat and Misseriya tribes, which have been displaced to the Kabar area. He added that “tribal conflict between the Misseriya and Salamat has left behind negative impacts that need to be addressed urgently”, and called on the meeting to contribute to their urgent need for shelter materials and food before the beginning of the rainy season. File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran / Unamid