West Darfur: Insecurity in camps causing food shortage

Displaced people in Sirba locality of West Darfur have complained about insecurity in the camps due to repeated attacks by armed militias. The market of camp Armenkol has been closed for more than two weeks as a result of tensions and security threats. This is leading to a lack of food as it is too dangerous for people to go to the state’s capital El Geneina to shop because of the proliferation of militia.They have raised their complaints to multiple local authorities demanding the provision of security and an end to militia activity, but with few results. “Local authorities completely disregard the complaints of the displaced,” an Armenkol resident told Radio Dabanga. The displaced are appealing to the authorities to provide security, and to control the armed local militia in West Darfur.“The latest militia attack against us was on Wednesday. Militia assaulted and robbed displaced people who were returning to the camp from the market in Tendelti. On the same day, militia assaulted displaced people en route from Camp Saraf Jidad to Tendelti,” the resident said.Recently, displaced persons at six camps in Sirba locality told Radio Dabanga they have been experiencing a severe water crisis as a result the breakdown of water pumps. This situation has existed for three months, but rising temperatures have caused a sharp deterioration over the past few days.File photo by Oliver Chassot/UNAMIDRelated: ‘Severe water crisis’ at six camps in West Darfur (7 May 2013)