South Darfur rains, floods force displaced to move again

Rains at El Salam camp in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, have led to the re-displacement of about 4,700 newly displaced families. Sheikh Mahjoub Adam Tabeldiya told Radio Dabanga on Friday that heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday flooded the homes of the newly displaced, as they do not have any waterproof sheeting.Sheikh Tabeldiya lamented that he could not find new places for the newly displaced to settle. “Their homes were completely flooded and stand in a pool of water, so they have been displaced again. There is a general lack of shelter.” The residents of the camp contacted the owners of farms bordering the camp in an attempt to find space on dry ground, but some farmers refused to fully settle the displaced people within their farms because they need the land for agriculture. Others demanded compensation for hosting the displaced, Sheikh Tabeldiya said. “Of course, the displaced don’t have money to pay.” The sheikh appealed to the government authorities and humanitarian organisations to intervene and find a solution to the crisis. File photo (UNHCR) Related:Harsh weather has many living rough in Murnei camp, West Darfur (7 June 2013) UN speeds relocation of Darfur refugees in Chad amid rains, security issues (4 June 2013) Harsh weather toughens conditions for displaced of North Darfur (30 May 2013)