‘Critical conditions’ in South Darfur camp as 327 families arrive in one day
Civilians continue to flee conflict areas to the east and south of Nyala, South Darfur capital. High tensions remaining from clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel forces in Bulbul and Dalal Al Angara are forcing its residents to seek shelter in Kalma camp, which is already facing critical conditions due to the arrival of thousands of families in the last weeks.On Sunday, Hussein Abu Sharati, spokesman for the association of displaced persons and refugees of Darfur, said that the total number of new arrivals at Kalma camp from the areas and villages south and east of Nyala, Labado and Muhajeriya amounts to 41,441 families since the beginning of March.Speaking to Radio Dabanga on Wednesday, Kalma’s Sheikh Ali Abdulrahman Al Taher said that “the humanitarian conditions of the new arrivals are critical.” He reported that 327 new families arrived at the site on Wednesday alone. “They lack food, water, and medicines.”Al Taher is concerned about the spread of diseases in the camp due to the lack of sanitation facilities for the large number of people already living at the site as well as the many new arrivals. He appealed to all organisations to intervene urgently to help the displaced. He also called on the warring parties to “listen to the voice of reason”.Similarly, Ibrahim Ahmed Abdullah, chairman of the headquarters of Block 3 of Kalma camp, said that eight water pumps broke down weeks ago. This is increasing the suffering of the displaced, and has caused the price of water to a rise to SDG 1.5 ($0.35) per gallon (4.6 litres).Abdullah explained that the crisis began after an organisation withdrew its subsidy for providing petrol to run the pumps. This has resulted in a shortage of water. “We discussed the matter with the agency, who said that the displaced should contribute to the salaries of workers who operate the machines.” Another ten camps in South and West Darfur are facing similar water shortages. Pumps have broken down, relief organisations left the areas and machines could not be repaired.File photo by Sojoud Elgarrai/UNAMIDRelated:’Severe water crisis’ at six camps in West Darfur (7 May 2013)3,392 families arrive at South Darfur camp (5 May 2013)
Civilians continue to flee conflict areas to the east and south of Nyala, South Darfur capital. High tensions remaining from clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel forces in Bulbul and Dalal Al Angara are forcing its residents to seek shelter in Kalma camp, which is already facing critical conditions due to the arrival of thousands of families in the last weeks.
On Sunday, Hussein Abu Sharati, spokesman for the association of displaced persons and refugees of Darfur, said that the total number of new arrivals at Kalma camp from the areas and villages south and east of Nyala, Labado and Muhajeriya amounts to 41,441 families since the beginning of March.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga on Wednesday, Kalma’s Sheikh Ali Abdulrahman Al Taher said that “the humanitarian conditions of the new arrivals are critical.” He reported that 327 new families arrived at the site on Wednesday alone. “They lack food, water, and medicines.”
Al Taher is concerned about the spread of diseases in the camp due to the lack of sanitation facilities for the large number of people already living at the site as well as the many new arrivals. He appealed to all organisations to intervene urgently to help the displaced. He also called on the warring parties to “listen to the voice of reason”.
Similarly, Ibrahim Ahmed Abdullah, chairman of the headquarters of Block 3 of Kalma camp, said that eight water pumps broke down weeks ago. This is increasing the suffering of the displaced, and has caused the price of water to a rise to SDG 1.5 ($0.35) per gallon (4.6 litres).
Abdullah explained that the crisis began after an organisation withdrew its subsidy for providing petrol to run the pumps. This has resulted in a shortage of water. “We discussed the matter with the agency, who said that the displaced should contribute to the salaries of workers who operate the machines.”
Another ten camps in South and West Darfur are facing similar water shortages. Pumps have broken down, relief organisations left the areas and machines could not be repaired.
File photo by Sojoud Elgarrai/UNAMID
Related:
‘Severe water crisis’ at six camps in West Darfur (7 May 2013)
3,392 families arrive at South Darfur camp (5 May 2013)
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