Firewood collectors raped, beaten in South Darfur

Four women from Kalma camp in Bielel locality, South Darfur, were raped on Saturday, while other members of their group were beaten by militiamen. Saleh Issa, the Secretary-General of the camp told Radio Dabanga that a group of about 24 displaced women left the camp to collect firewood on Saturday. They were accosted by militiamen who stripped and raped four of them, aged between 30 and 50. The men also stole their mobile phones and four donkeys, and beat ten other members of the group. The women were then chased back into the camp. Issa said that Unamid was informed of the incident, has documented the case, spoken to those who were raped and beaten, and noted their names. However, Issa asserted “in spite of its promises, Unamid has become incapable of protecting displaced women when they go out to collect firewood.” He appealed to the international community to provide alternatives to firewood collection so as to avoid the frequent rape of women. Also he appealed to health organisations working in the field to provide a psychiatric section to support rape victims. File photo