Pending humanitarian crisis in IDP camps North Darfur

A deteriorating security situation and the lack of food, water and medication cause fears about a humanitarian crisis for 36,000 displaced people living in the camps of Shangil Tobaya, Shadad and Umm Driseisy.

A Sheikh of the Shangil Tobaya camp told Radio Dabanga that ever since the government expelled Médecins Sans Frontières three months ago, health services have ground to a halt. The Sheikh reported that government forces prevent the movement of vehicles in the area, often confiscating cars for their own use. He added that patients seeking medical attention are therefore forced to take a four day journey by cart to El Fasher, which can cost as much as 75 Sudanese Pounds.

The Sheikh also reported to Radio Dabanga that water stations have been unable to provide water to the camps for 45 consecutive days. The government halted the influx of the allocated fuel to power the stations. Residents are forced to drink out of stagnant water pools which are often hours removed from the camps. He added that the water pools constitute wholes in the ground left by government aerial bombardments which contain toxic materials and are poisonous to those who drink from it.

Finally he told Radio Dabanga that13000 names disappeared from the food rations list of the World Food Program. He appealed to officials of the World Food Program to review the matter as soon as possible.