Sudan Humanitarian Overview Vol 5, Issue 1: 01 Jan - 31 March 2009

DARFUR

The first quarter of 2009 saw a steady and rapid decline in the operational environment in which humanitarian organizations had to work. January was marked by intense military confrontations in Muhajariya and Shaeria in South Darfur and in Wada'ah in North Darfur. These resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of persons with the majority of them heading north with most people ending up in Zam Zam camp near El Fasher town. On March 4 and 5, the Government of Sudan announced the expulsion of 13 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the dissolution of three national NGOs.

Fighting between SLA-MM and JEM erupted mid January with JEM taking control of Muhajariya. Fighting also erupted between SAF and SLA-MM in Gereida (South Darfur) with GoS taking control of that town. The fighting in Muhajariya and subsequent power shift increased insecurity and resulted in humanitarian staff having to be relocated. In North Darfur, fighting was reported south of Sag El Nyam. Large gatherings of armed groups, including rebel forces, Chadian opposition and militias were reported throughout Darfur, but significant build ups in West Darfur increased tensions. Humanitarian access was not gained until mid-March to Muhajariya and surrounding areas. Tribal fighting also broke out in Wad Hajam and Atomat (South Darfur).

New arrivals of displaced persons in North Darfur coming from South Darfur has had an immediate impact on humanitarian operations in all IDP camp locations but particularly in Zam Zam camp where more than 40,000 persons had arrived from the end of January to the end of March. Emergency interventions were meeting immediate needs but the seemingly endless stream of IDPs into Zam Zam was making it difficult to conduct verification and to allow for more effective assistance to be provided. Compounding matters, the camp population prior to the new arrivals was already at the physical capacity to support population numbers as ground water estimates suggested that the camp could sustain a maximum of 65,000 people (55,000 already living there and 10,000 additional persons). By the end of March, the population was estimated near 100,000 with the latest arrivals coming with their livestock. Requests to the Government for a new site with access to land and water has not yet been answered.