By Mohamad Mahady

A teacher reviews students' exercise books in the school of El Sereif IDP camp. Photo by Albert González Farran

On 28 May 2014, UNAMID conducted a routine patrol to the El Sereif camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), located west of Nyala, South Darfur, to assess the condition of the recently displaced who arrived at the camp in the aftermath of the recent clashes between armed movements and government forces. Most of the newly displaced are women and children originally from villages located in West of Nyala.

Community leaders at the camp complain about the lack of food, water and sanitation, health services and material to build shelters.

In a bid to resume some measure of normalcy, the school at the camp is open from May to July so as to cater to thousands of children who missed regular classes on account of recent displacements; these months are usually reserved for summer holidays. According to local authorities, the school, with 60 teachers and more than 3,000 students, is overpopulated and requires rehabilitation of classrooms as well as educational materials such as exercise books and blackboards.

As part of its mandate, UNAMID provides protection to civilians living in such camps through its daily patrols. Additionally, the Mission also reports pressing concerns and problems faced by the displaced to local and international partners; this facilitates prompt humanitarian assistance to communities in need.

The ongoing violence in Darfur has forced thousands, including large numbers of women and children, to flee their homes and villages. Many have sought refuge near UNAMID bases and in IDP camps. UNAMID provides essentials such as water and medical services to those who have gathered near its bases across the region.

Aisha Abdala, a displaced woman from Katila, South Darfur, cooks next to her shelter in the camp. Photo by Albert González Farran