Darfur: Inadequate International Aid Threatened by Renewed Violence

The situation is worsening in Darfur, the western Sudan region where a conflict began in 2003. Renewed violence has led to reduced assistance to people in the area. Dr. Denis Lemasson, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) program director, has just returned from Sudan with a disturbing report.

More than three years after the killings of 2003 and massive population displacements, what is striking is that the populations are still experiencing the state of emergency created by that conflict. When they go outside the camp, they run the daily risk of beatings, rape, and death. – Dr. Denis Lemasson

What form has this new outbreak of violence taken in Sudan?

An MSF nurse looks for vulnerable patients in the crowd waiting outside the health clinic. They are IDPs from the Fur tribe. Photo © Lucy Clayton

Several incidents over the last few months point to a worsening of the situation throughout Darfur. The number of armed groups has increased, related in part to internal divisions among government and back-up troops, dissident groups, rebel groups, and others who have clashed repeatedly. In recent weeks, we have also observed acts of organized crime and other criminal activity that has specifically affected international aid organizations.

At least five international aid workers have been killed over the last three weeks. MSF has experienced four major incidents. While I was visiting Mornay, a team arrived. They had been attacked and beaten on the road and their car struck by gunfire. The team was lucky to make it back.

How has this affected the population?

After that incident, we were forced to suspend traveling on the road to El Geneina. If a patient were to arrive in Mornay today and needed an operation, we would not be able to transfer that person. We have also had to suspend the work of our mobile clinics that serve the nomadic population. In other locations, we have had to evacuate entire teams. We can't expose them to the risk of being killed.

A mother and newborn child at the local hospital in El Geneina. Photo © Erik Refner

Displaced and isolated civilians are directly affected by any reduction of international aid. More than three years after the killings of 2003 and massive population displacements, what is striking is that the populations are still experiencing the state of emergency created by that conflict. The displaced people have the same needs and are completely dependent on international aid for access to food, water, health care, and shelter. When they go outside the camp, they run the daily risk of beatings, rape, and death. We noted several such incidents along the periphery of the camps, particularly in Zalingei and Niertiti. Driven to the camps by force, the displaced persons today have no chance–and no prospect–of returning to their home villages. Survival is difficult for the nomadic populations and the residents of isolated villages as the conflict has halted livestock migration and trade among the communities.

Has international aid been reduced?

International aid was already inadequate relative to the needs and is declining, particularly in the displaced persons' camps. Over the last year, we have observed reduced funding, a shrinking number of aid actors, and a refocusing of programs from emergency needs to development. In May alone, the World Food Program (WFP) cut its food distributions by half, which threatens to worsen an already dangerous food situation. Current water distribution is inadequate. Health care needs are also great, both in terms of consultations and hospital care for emergency cases. On top of that, if security problems result in the closure of programs and the departure of other actors, basic survival needs will not be met. That is why we are asking today that all armed actors in the field not interfere with the work of humanitarian aid organizations.