Newly Displaced Face Challenges in Crowded Camps

With ongoing fighting between Government forces and armed movements, along with a rise in inter- and intra-communal violence, the volatile situation in Darfur has led to massive population displacements.

By Sharon Lukunka

Since January 2014, a new wave of conflict has generated significant humanitarian needs across Darfur. With ongoing fighting between Government forces and armed movements, along with inter- and intra-communal violence, the volatile situation in Darfur has led to massive population displacements. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in the first half of 2014, nearly 400,000 people were displaced in Darfur, with more than 250,000 still unable to return home. OCHA statistics indicate that there are currently 2.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.

One example of the impact of these numbers on existing IDP camp infrastructure can be found in Zam Zam, an IDP camp in North Darfur where many people from the state’s various localities have sought refuge, creating a burden on already overstretched infrastructure. Zam Zam is one of Darfur’s oldest IDP camps, and is equipped with schools, market areas, community centres and even minimal functioning utilities. Despite the relative stability of the camp, an influx of 50,000 new people into this community this year alone has led to food shortages and other humanitarian issues.

Most of the other camps in Darfur have experienced a similar influx of newly displaced. Ms. Jamila Tijani is one of the recently displaced who had to flee her village near Tawilla, North Darfur, following attacks by armed groups. She and her family arrived in Zam Zam to seek protection and assistance. “The attackers burned our houses and looted most of our belongings,” says Jamila. “Since we arrived in the camp, we have had no water and no healthcare; we have had to walk long distances just to fetch water.”

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On 30 June 2014 in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, a woman rides a donkey loaded with water while UNAMID peacekeepers conduct a routine patrol around the nearby IDP camp. On 26 March, some 3,000 displaced people took refuge inside UNAMID’s base in Khor Abeche in anticipation of an attack on their homes. The Mission provided protection, shelter and water to the IDPs, and worked with the humanitarian community to offer other emergency support. Photo by Albert González Farran, UNAMID.