Sheikh, displaced concerned about food distribution in Darfur camps

The displaced people of Attash camp near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, have voiced concern about the World Food Programme (WPF) distribution plans. The WPF have decided to delegate the distribution of food to traders, while the displaced would prefer it occur via the distribution centres established by World Vision, launched on 30 May.The Sheikh of the camp Abdel Karim Abkar, explained to Radio Dabanga on Saturday that “the displaced base their rejection on their negative experience in the past with Elbadrain Charity Organization (ECO) which distributed coupons to be used for grinding corn.”“The owners of mills later refused to accept the coupons under the pretext that they had not been not been paid, as a result this led to the collapse of the project,” he added. In camp Attash, about 3,200 newly displaced families are suffering a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of water and health services. Sheikh Abkar described the conditions of newly displaced as extremely poor. “The state no longer caries for its citizens who are treated as though they were non-Sudanese,” he lamented. “While these displaced families have been there for more than a month, living in the open, under the sun and without sanitation, they have not received any aid at all.” The sheikh warned of the growing health risks at the camp, especially now that the rainy season is due. He appealing to all organisations and charitable institutions to take action and provide assistance to the displaced. File photo by Albert González Farran/UnamidRelated: Short rations make malnutrition rife among children in Central Darfur camps (31 May 2013) Darfur – WFP rations suspended in El Geneina camp (20 May 2013) ‘Malnutrition spreads’ in Zalingei camps, Central Darfur (2 May 2013)