27 June 2009 -- A UNAMID team led by Head-of-Office, Mr. Miguel Martin conducted a one-day visit to the North Darfur town of Kutum on 27 June. The delegation visited the village of Masri, about 20 km south west from Kutum where the return of people displaced by the conflict was reported and to assess the extent to which life has returned to the town after the fighting.

The visit to Masri village town was prompted by recent reports from the Sector regarding the return of some people earlier displaced from the village as a result of the conflict. UNAMID team held a meeting with traditional leaders (Sheikhs and Umdas), women and youth groups. Mr. Miguel Martin explained that the purpose of the visit was to be familiar with the situation in the village and to see how UNAMID can assist in terms of providing security and to verify the total number of people that have returned to the area voluntarily.

During the meeting, the residents revealed that about 2,300 households with an average family size of 8 individuals had returned to the area. Before the conflict in 2003, Masri’s population was more than 2,500 households, while others were displaced to places such as Kabkabiya, Nyala and Kutum town. UNAMID was also informed that population have been returning since mid of 2007 where a total of 500 households returned to Masri. More displaced have expressed willingness to return, however, lack of transportation remain as main impediment preventing the displaced from returning

The majority Arab tribe are the Ereigat, with some mainly Fur and Tunjur tribes living side by side with them.

With regard to humanitarian assistance, the community has received some Food assistance from World Food Programme (WFP) and some support from United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the repair of a water pump. They requested to receive additional assistance for water, health facilities, plastic sheeting, food and education.

Following the meeting at Masri village, UNAMID team also visited El Manara village, about 5 km from Masri village and about 25 km south west from Kutum town where they met with local leaders and women groups. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation in the area and to verify the number of returnees in order to be informed of the exact population living in the area. “UNAMID is here to assist in the improvement of necessary security conditions”, said Mr. Miguel Martin.

The leaders told the delegation that the population in the area was at 531 households with an average family size of 6 individuals. The residents informed that before the conflict began in 2003, the area had 400 people who were displaced towards Kabkabiya area. At present, the population consists mainly of Rezegait tribes.

During the meeting, the population requested to be provided with water, food and plastic sheeting.