25 March 2009 -- Two internally displaced persons (IDPs) died today after a fire broke out at the Abu Zar IDP camp near the West Darfur state capital of El Geneina.
A joint team of UNAMID military and police personnel that was dispatched to the camp to investigate the fire’s cause was informed by residents that two armed men in military uniform and two others in civilian clothes were seen entering the camp, starting a fire about 12:30 a.m., and then fleeing.
One female IDP died at the scene and a 22-year-old male IDP died later after being taken to hospital. Three other seriously injured IDPs are receiving medical treatment at El Geneina hospital. The blaze spread relatively quickly because of strong winds at the camp and as many as 1,500 residents were affected by the fire.
Senior UNAMID military and police officials, speaking on behalf of the Mission, expressed their deep concern to the IDPs at Abu Zar following the incident.
