Sirba camp residents ask for blankets

Residents of Sirba, Kendebe, Abu Suruj, Saraf Jidad and Bir Dagig camps in Sirba locality, West Darfur, are reportedly facing a severe shortage of blankets and sheets at the verge of the winter season. A displaced woman from Sirba camp told Radio Dabanga on Friday, 21 December, that the displaced are facing an acute shortage of sheets and blankets. She added that women, children and elderly in particular are suffering from the cold winter season, due to the fact that the security situation prevents them from collecting firewood. The woman called on humanitarian organizations to urgently provide blankets and sheets to the displaced. Moreover, parents from Kendebe camp in Sirba locality claim the Ministry of Education neglects providing school support items to their children, especially during winter. They added that students travel, by foot, for at least two hours to study. A displaced told Radio Dabanga that schools in the countryside are discriminated against; children sitting under trees with no classrooms and most of the children travel long distances, besides suffering from the cold. The displaced appealed to the Ministry of Education and humanitarian organizations to provide the necessary school support aid to students in the region.