Rains destroy houses in Kalma camp, South Darfur

Heavy rainfall on Sunday destroyed approximately 100 houses at Kalma camp for displaced persons near Nyala in South Darfur. According to a displaced man who spoke to Radio Dabanga, the houses were destroyed in Centre One of the camp, and their inhabitants are now living in the open without shelter.“This is even more tragic, especially for the children, because of the accumulation of water within the camp that needs to be bridged,” he said. The source appealed via Radio Dabanga for humanitarian assistance with tarpaulins and tents. On Monday, 28 families reached El Salam camp near Nyala having fled the recent violence between the Gimr and Beni Halba tribes. Sheikh Mahjoub Adam Tabaldiya of the camp told Radio Dabanga that the new arrivals number 97 people “who need urgent humanitarian and philanthropic assistance to rescue them from the tragic conditions they are living in”. Sheikh Tabaldiya lamented that “the security situation at the camp is still deteriorating as a result of repeated attacks, banditry, and robbery of the displaced by pro-government militiamen.” Tabaldiya demanded “that the government forces do their part in securing roads and protecting displaced persons”.The Gimr and Beni Halba tribes have been fighting since February, with relatively stable periods in between. They initially clashed over land disputes in South Darfur. Thereafter, the  two sides have been accusing each other of breaching previous peace treaties; all of which have been signed and broken during a short period. File photo Related: Heavy rains in West Darfur – 20 houses at camp Ardamata collapse (1 July 2013) Rain brings new health fears for displaced in Darfur camps (26 July)‘Calm descends’ between Gimr and Beni Halba tribes in South Darfur (25 June 2013) Rain damages houses in Zalingei camps, Central Darfur (28 May 2013)