Attacks in villages surrounding the Um Baru locality in North Darfur since mid-January 2015 have forced thousands of people, mainly women and children, to flee from their homes and seek protection in the vicinity of a UNAMID Team Site; many others may have reportedly sought refuge along the valleys. The number of person expressing concerns about their security in the area is increasing on a daily basis.

“We are innocent; we don’t know why they came to attack us. We do not have shelter, food or water, and the elderly are too weak to walk long distances,” said Ms. Ali, a women’s leader. Ms. Ali and her four children, who arrived at Um Baru from Anabeji village, located some 40 kilometers away, have settled in the safe zone created by UNAMID peacekeepers adjacent to its base.

Similarly, Ms. Fatima Naser, a school teacher from Abuleha village who sought refuge in the vicinity of the Mission’s Team Site, revealed that her village was also attacked and looted. Since then, she said, three of her eight children have gone missing.

Several women from other villages have similar stories. Most of them expressed concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in the area and their personal safety.

UNAMID Police Advisers have established a Gender Desk to record concerns of the displaced women and arrive at solutions on how best to address them. According to Ms. Mary Kontomah, Police Adviser, the Desk has been facilitating assistance for affected women and children while being attentive to serious complaints such as reported cases of violation of human rights and the need for basic supplies such as food, water and shelter.

Apart from their protection tasks, UNAMID peacekeepers from Senegal deployed in Um Baru have been assisting those displaced by providing them with tents, two water storage tanks as well as providing some medical assistance. Special care has been offered to pregnant women. Mission personnel have also constructed two latrines to minimize potential health hazards that this crisis can cause.

Humanitarian actors in Darfur are working tirelessly to meet the needs of the newly displaced persons in the area and have established a mobile clinic to take care of minor illnesses of the displaced.

UNAMID Force Commander Lt. General Paul Mella visited the newly displaced on 29 January 2015 to assess the situation as well as meet the communities who have sought refuge next to the UNAMID base. In a meeting with community leaders, Lt. General Mella assured them of the Mission’s commitment to protect them. “We are aware of what has happened and are working closely with the humanitarian actors in the area to ensure delivery of humanitarian aid,” he said.

On behalf of the community, Umda Bakhit Hammis, who fled, along with his family, from Orchi village, expressed appreciation for the Mission’s efforts and requested for additional assistance. “We are asking UNAMID to provide us with more support. We have nothing.”

Additionally, on 1 February 2015, Lt. General Mella visited Nertiti, Central Darfur, to assess the security situation following reports of recent fighting between Government of Sudan forces and armed movements in Golo locality, some 85 kilometers from Nertiti, in the Jebel Marra area. Many of those affected by the clashes in the area have gathered in the camps for the internally displaced while others have sought shelter in Nertiti town with friends and relatives.

on 26 January, a group of women who fled their homes following recent attacks on their villages are photographed arriving at the UNAMID Team Site in Um Baru, North Darfur. Photo by Hamid Abdulsalam.

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