Darfur displaced ask UNAMID, authorities for improved security

Residents of three displaced camps in North Darfur have lodged a memorandum to UNAMID and to the local commissioner demanding their protection and better security conditions. Displaced of three Saraf Omra camps submitted the memo on Wednesday, which also requests provisions demanding that international organizations are allowed into Darfur to deliver aid to those in need.The population of camps Al Naseem, Dankoj and Jebel were involved in drafting the document. A source told Radio Dabanga that their most important demands include that federal and state authorities provide “extensive” power to the army and to the police and that the rule of law is enforced. In addition, they requested that perpetrators are held accountable, “especially militias as they do not recognize the police or the law”, a displaced said. The memorandum also demands that joint powers are granted to the police and to UNAMID in order to protect the displaced. In addition, they want that the Mission be again allowed to visit camps twice a month. Displaced are urging authorities to allow humanitarian aid organizations, “particularly the Red Cross and Oxfam”, to enter their camps and provide assistance to the people in need. “Thousands displaced” Meanwhile, the commissioner of Saraf Omra locality disclosed that thousands of people displaced from Al Sareif Beni Hussein tribal clashes are in need relief assistance. They are reliant on food and non-food aid, water and health services, he said, adding that most of the displaced are stationed in the locality’s capital and in Bil Kasahira. These places have not yet been verified by humanitarian organizations, the commissioner noted.Some 510 people were killed and over 100.000 were displaced as a result of tribal clashes that erupted in January in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality. Members of the Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes were fighting over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine.  The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) has highlighted the need for greater involvement of international partners in the verification of displaced people, especially in areas outside the Saraf Omra administrative unit.  Saraf Omra’s commissioner is urging international humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to the displaced, who according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) amount to about 34.000 people (or 6.836 families) in the locality.Related:North Darfur mining to be halted until reconciliation conference (2 April 2013)UN confirms biggest forced displacement in Darfur since years (17 January 2013)