Fatma Abdarraman, a woman from the Kassab camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kutum, North Darfur, is assisted by doctors, who attend to several leg injuries. Photo by Albert González Farran

Kutum, 9 August 2012 – The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the North Darfur Ministry of Health and the Kutum Rural Hospital, delivered today medical assistance to 170 persons from Kassab internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, who were displaced following attacks on the camp beginning on 1 August.

The medical team set up a temporary clinic at the secondary school in Kutum, North Darfur. The patients were treated for various diseases including respiratory infections, stomach pain, chronic sickness, trauma and malaria, as well as injuries that occurred during the incidents at the camp. Children were also brought in for cases of fever and diarrhea.    

The newly-displaced have sought refuge among the host population in Kutum town, the majority living in open areas without basic services, such as clean water, food, sanitation facilities and health care. “The situation there is very bad, houses and shelters are crowded, the health situation is getting worse and they lack sufficient food,” said Altheir Ismail Ali, a community leader in the camp.

IDP representatives emphasized the need for better protection. “We are afraid to return to the camp, because armed men may come back to attack us,” said Fatima Adam Badaui, a women representative in Kassab.

The medical clinic will continue to operate for several more days. UNAMID provided emergency medications and distributed potable water to the community.

The Mission is working with humanitarian agencies to find ways to provide relief to the affected population, and is committed to working with those in the community to bring about stability and security to the area.