Camps in Darfur Overcrowded
Refugees in Sudan Face Hardships as Population Increases
As the conflict in Sudan continues, refugees are becoming increasingly overcrowded and face shortages on food, health care and shelter.
Conditions remain critical at the refugee camps in Darfur. According to a recent BBC news report, the camps are almost full. The estimated number of displaced people was 323,635 in January 2007, but there are still more people coming.
It is hard enough to exist under good circumstances on an isolated desert, but when there are scarce resources and cramped conditions, it adds to the strain. Domestic violence is also on the rise that is contributed to men feeling hungry, stressed and inadequate as providers. Many people are also extremely bored, which adds to the stress and they are not feeling productive.
Some people have managed to find work at nearby villages, but competition is fierce because of the present high population. Food rations are often delayed because of raids and poor road conditions. There was one looting incident reported where over one million dollars worth of aid was stolen.
- When aid does get through, food rations mainly consist of rice, oil and a small amount of salt. Some people have been expressing a desire for meat and milk and children have been spotted hunting small birds. Frequently refugees agree to sell a portion of rice so that they can purchase other missing food items.
- Mental health issues have also been an overwhelming problem in refugee camps. Numerous children came there with no parents and some of them witnessed them being killed. Many women and girls have been victims of rape and assault, which have severe effects on them because traditionally in Sudan when women are raped they marry their rapists to preserve the family’s dignity. Some people have been known to bolt into dangerous territory and they have resorted to tying some of them up at nighttime to try to protect them.
- Sanitary conditions are poor and illnesses with symptoms of dehydration and diarrhea is a common occurrence.
Conflict in Sudan Worsens
- Sudan has been in continuous conflict for the last four decades with no signs of abating. It started getting worse in 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Army began attacking government troops in the Darfur region.
- The conflict is sometimes unclear because there are several Indigenous groups in Sudan, but the war is mainly between non-Arab farmers and nomadic Arab herders. They managed to tolerate each other until a major drought hit Darfur in 1982, which caused everyone to compete hard for resources. The Fur (non-Arab tribe) along with many other smaller tribes were forced to sell their livestock, which they depended on for their livelihood. They also occupied prime land for farming so that made them a target. A consequence of this was mass killings of Fur, Maasalit and Zaghawa communities by the Arab Militia.
The Christian Children’s Fund is trying to focus on protecting women and children in refugee camps by providing for their health, education, shelter and water but it is becoming more challenging as higher numbers of refugees and their needs increase.
Resources: Christian Children's Fund Child Protection Assessment (Eastern Chad, August 16-25th, 2004)
Rock for Darfur MySpace blog post - Show your support by buying a ticket, donating or buying a t-shirt.
BBC News, Sudan Darfur Camp"Almost Full" (Tuesday, March 20th, 2007)
