Thousands flee mounting violence in south Darfur

Social justice news
February 2006

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Thousands flee mounting violence in south Darfur
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Thousands flee mounting violence in south Darfur
Christian Aid partners, the Sudan Development Association (SUDO) and the Sudanese Council of Churches (SCC), have abandoned their schools and health centres in the camps in Mershing in south Darfur, following a series of attacks by armed militias.

Thousands of people have been displaced following these attacks. SUDO and SCC are providing blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans and are also ensuring that people have access to water and sanitation facilities to prevent the outbreak of disease.

This recent series of attacks started on the 23 January 2006 when gunmen on camels attacked and looted Shaway Malmul camp.

In the following days, there were further attacks in four more camps outside of Mershing.

These attacks have caused terror amongst the displaced people living in the camps. African Union (AU) patrols visited Mershing twice following the attacks and promised to send forces at 5pm on 25 January 2006. When the forces did not arrive the people fled.

An estimated 55,000 people, leaving most of their belongings behind, are making their way to Manawashi town, south of Mershing, to escape the attacks. In the chaos, families have been divided and it is believed that 210 children are unaccounted for.

The conditions for those travelling to Manawashi are desperate. They are exposed to soaring heat in the day and cold weather at night. They have no cooking materials, little food and few sources of water. ACT-Caritas have reported that 38 women have suffered miscarriages and 13 children have died in the past week.

Christian Aid, through ACT-Caritas, is supporting partners working in the region.

As the situation deteriorates, there are few signs that these people will be able to return to their camps soon. Relations between the local people and the police are tense following the ambush of six police two weeks ago and the recent attacks.

The Sudanese authorities have agreed to withdraw the existing police force and have suggested there could be a joint patrol between the police and the African Union forces within a week. Local observers say this timescale seems highly optimistic.

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