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Global archive: West Dafur

Refugees at mercy of armed groups, claims report

Thousands of people in West Darfur, Sudan remain isolated and deprived of assistance after violent attacks destroyed several villages causing their populations to flee. Some 5,000 of those displaced have found refuge in the Ardamata and Dorti camps near El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, but many others remain stranded further north in Tanjeke, where they are at the mercy of armed groups, reports Médecins Sans Frontières [MSF].

An MSF evaluation team was able to reach Tanjeke earlier this year, where it says at least one thousand families are gathered in inadequate shelters that lack proper roofs. The team found that there is a lack of water and people will soon be in need of food. Unfortunately, the levels of armed conflict and danger on the roads have prevented aid workers from providing any further intervention or assistance.

However, MSF has set up a mobile medical unit in Ardamata camp to screen new arrivals who continue to arrive in small groups. To date,more than 500 people have been treated.

Despite its best efforts, MSF says that living conditions in the camps are still poor, especially at this time of year, with the steep drop in temperature at night.

The organisation, which has been in West Darfur since 2004, says the constant insecurity in the region and on the roads in particular, renders movements extremely difficult for aid workers. In Darfur today, accessing those populations in need is, in many cases, impossible, concludes MSF.

For further information visit the Médecins Sans Frontières website at: www.msf.org

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