Storms destroy more than 750 houses in South Darfur camp

A total of 761 houses were partially or completely destroyed by heavy rains last Thursday in South Darfur's Kalma camp. Humanitarian organisations are supporting Kalma's residents with assessing the extent of the damage.

Torrential rains that lasted from 12pm until 3am left 'a considerable damage' in different parts of the Kalma camp. Saleh Eisa, the site's secretary-general, said that 250 families who recently arrived at the camp had their homes completely destroyed. They live in Kalma's Centre 8. The houses of 511 families in Centre 1B were flooded, and residents reported a loss of furniture, clothes, and food.

Most families living in Centre 1B of Kalma camp want to move their households elsewhere owing to the repeated problems they face due to rains and flooding. Eisa said the camp's management is looking for alternative sites in Centre A, stressing these families will need aid support.

Secretary-General Eisa told Radio Dabanga that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have jointly prepared an inventory with the number of families affected by rain and the extent of their damage. Eisa requested the organisations to execute emergency campaigns and help families affected by heavy rains with shelter materials, clothing, and food.

Kalma's residents insist that especially the elderly and children are severally affected by the camp's harsh humanitarian conditions. They ask that humanitarian organisations help them build barriers in the camp to minimise the damage caused by floods.