Ibrahim Gambari entering to the Tawilla UNAMID camp site (22 November).

UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari today concluded a two-day visit to three Mission team sites in North Darfur, where he met with community leaders, paid tribute to peacekeepers and was briefed on the security situation. On all stops, Gambari highlighted the responsibility of UNAMID in protecting civilians, promoting development in the region and ensuring human rights.

JSR Gambari, who was accompanied by the Force Commander General Patrick Nyamvumba and Police Commander James Oppong-Boanuh, met with roughly 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from three camps near Shangil Tobaya. The IDP’s leaders stressed the need for greater security, and also noted a lack of food, schools, medical facilities and employment opportunities in the camps, especially in the new one.

In Tawilla, Gambari was briefed by the team site management on the most recent incidents in the area, including the attack at Tabara village last September and an ambush of two civilian trucks early this month.

Yesterday, the JSR met with UNAMID personnel deployed in Malha, in North Darfur. Addressing the troops stationed there he said: "You are the Missions’ frontline, you have to give the best account of yourself. The Mission will be guarded by what happens in the team sites. We are here to protect the most vulnerable and create an environment conducive for the delivery of humanitarian aid, to give hope, promote early recovery and development."

Photos by Albert Gonzalez Farran