‘Once Darfur is secure again, refugees will return by themselves’: Chad camp head

The Sudanese refugees in the camps in eastern Chad complained about the reduction of food rations and services provided by international humanitarian organisations. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Eisa Tijani, the head of the Kounongou refugee camp in eastern Chad, reported that the conditions in the camp have become very difficult because of the reduction and delay of the food rations. Tijani explained that the organisations began to reduce the food rations in November last year. “A large 100 kg sack of sorghum used to be the ration for four persons a month. Since November the same amount is allocated to seven persons per month. The ration of oil was reduced by 20 percent and firewood by 25 percent. Sugar and salt are not distributed anymore.” Tijani noted that parents of school students cannot afford to buy them stationary and school books anymore since they have to pay extra food by themselves. He stressed that the situation has become indeed dire. “Most of the families begin begging for food after the food rations are finished, usually around the 15th of the month.” The refugee camp head said that the relief organisations explain the food reduction by stating that their budgets for the Darfur refugees have been reduced due to many other humanitarian crises in other parts of the world. He appealed to the UN to provide the refugees with the basic requirements, and in case the budget does not allow it, to step up its efforts to realise security in Darfur and create the required conditions for the people to return. “Once Darfur is safe and secure again, the refugees will immediately return by themselves.” File photo: A refugee camp in eastern Chad Related: Sudanese refugees in Chad reject removal of camp hospital (19 December 2013)WFP rations delayed for Sudanese refugees in Chad (5 December 2013)Sudanese refugees in Chad camps suffer lack of medical care, drinking water (26 November 2013)