3 September 2008 -- The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) today reports an increased presence of Government of Sudan Police near the Kalma camp housing displaced persons in Nyala.

On Monday, a UNAMID patrol in Nyala noticed an increased police presence, with more tents going up at their new location about five kilometers away from the camp.

UNAMID, meanwhile, has decided to deploy, on a permanent basis, a joint force of UNAMID Military and Police. Until such a force is established, the UNAMID police is present in and around the Kalma camp , 12 hours a day . Daily UNAMID military patrols have also been reinforced since August 25th in the Kalma camp area.

In a related development, UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Mr. Henry Anyidoho, earlier today visited the camp in order to assess the situaion.  He held a series of meetings with UNAMID components in the fields of Civil Affairs, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs