Seven die, four raped in Dreige area, South Darfur

Civilians fleeing their homes and villages in South and East Darfur continue to arrive at the overstretched displaced camps. This week, four women were raped on their way to Dreige camp, where five children have died of diarrhoea due to the appalling health situation. In addition, “Abu Tira” forces stormed Dreige, killing two of its residents.The sheikh of the camp announced this week that 5,736 people have fled to the site in less than one month. “They joining an existing population of 54,495”, he added. Most of them are fleeing the tensions to the east and south of South Darfur capital Nyala, as well as hostilities in Labado and Muhajeriya in East Darfur.Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Dreige’s sheikh warned of the spread of disease and lamented the poor provision of health services at the camp. “We have just one medical centre which can only handle about 50 patients a day. Five children from Labado and Muhajeriya died on Thursday of diarrhoea.”Radio Dabanga reported in February that two organisations that support medical and sanitation services would be leaving the camp soon on completion of their mandates.On Wednesday, four women who were fleeing tensions in East Darfur were raped by pro-government militias around Ishma near Nyala as they were heading for Dreige.A source said the women tried laying charges at the Bielel police station on the same night, but authorities refused to assist them, asserting that “Sudan is currently in a state of emergency”. Sources said the women eventually reached the camp where they are receiving treatment according to traditional methods.Ishma, about eight kilometres from Nyala, was reportedly seized by rebel forces of SLA-MM in April; just days after forces of the same faction took over Labado and Muhajeriya. As the towns are strategically placed, sources explained that such situations lead to large militia deployments to conflict zones. Civilians fleeing these areas are then often assaulted and robbed by insurgents along the road.Residents of Dreige have complained about the poor security situation at the camp. On Tuesday, elements of the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira) stormed the site several times and opened fire on the displaced. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that Hamada Yahiya and Fatima Ahmed Mohamed were killed.Sources said the Abu Tira constantly loot areas in and outside the camp, but the authorities take no action against them. The Dreige displaced have appealed to Khartoum not to target civilians, because they are not at war with the government. They also requested the government not to target or bomb their home villages.Abu Tira enter KalmaHussein Abu Sharati, a spokesman for the affairs of displaced persons and refugees, said that Abu Tira forces stationed in Bielel entered the nearby Kalma camp on Thursday evening.“They rained 18 cannon shells on Block 3 of Dushka camp, which terrified the residents, especially the newcomers who had just fled attacks by pro-government militias on their villages.”Abu Sharati: “Abu Tira, government forces and pro-government militias carry out such assaults to demonstrate to people that they are not safe even though they live in camps protected by Unamid.”File photo: New displaced from Muhajeriya in Kalma (OCHA) – the women in this picture were not involved in the incident reportedRelated:Darfur’s Dreige camp takes in 5,736 people in three weeks (6 May 2013)Fresh clashes between rebels and Sudan army leave ‘dozens killed’ (8 April 2013)S. Darfur camp: ‘Abu Tira’ shoots man, organizations departing (25 February 2013)