24 February 2009 -- Yesterday, senior officials with the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) visited thousands of civilians who have recently arrived at the Zam Zam camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). These arrivals followed the fighting that recently took place in several South Darfur localities.

UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR) Mr. Henry Anyidoho, Police Commissioner, Mr. Micheal Fryer, and other senior Mission officials visited the Zam Zam IDP camp – located south of El Fasher – to see first-hand the conditions of the new arrivals. They met with local Umdhas (native administration representatives) and other leaders, including women’s and youth representatives.

The Umdhas said that more than 14,000 people have arrived in recent weeks to escape fighting in Muhajeriya and other South Darfur areas involving Government forces and rebel movements, as well as attacks by Janjaweed militiamen against civilians.

Mr. Anyidoho said the Mission would do its utmost to ensure the safety of Zam Zam’s residents as negotiations continue to resolve the conflict so that IDPs can return to their original communities.

Commissioner Fryer said the UNAMID Police would begin next week set up an interim Community Policing Centre (CPC) in Zam Zam, with the aim of conducting 24-hour patrols around the camp. The CPC will be built with the assistance of camp residents.

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