UN: more than 50% water pumps broken in West Darfur camps

In its latest report, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that most of the water pumps in displaced camps in and around El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, are not working.“Access to water is problematic as 63 out of 93 hand pumps in the nine camps are not functioning. The nine camps have an estimated population of 119,000 people, according to the (Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission) HAC,” it was stated on Friday’s report by OCHA.The sites include Abu Zar, Adamata, Dorti, El Hujaj, El Riad, Jama Krinding One and Two and Sultan House. OCHA says the information was cross-checked with all the camps’ representatives.OCHA further stated that an estimated 7,300 households out of 17,000 do not have latrines, while another 5,000 do not have access to communal latrines, which further depicts deterioration in the provision of acceptable sanitation facilities in the camps.A total of eight out of 14 basic primary schools are without WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities, while 20 out of 34 child friendly spaces in the camps remain closed, the UN agency declared.In the beginning of this month, residents of six displaced camps in West Darfur’s 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, they said, but high temperatures have caused a sharp deterioration recently.File photo: Girls from Forog, in Insuro area (North Darfur), welcome the arrival of a Unamid delegation and report their need of water with handwritten banners (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related: ‘Severe water crisis’ at six camps in West Darfur (7 May 2013)