Darfur displaced accuse government, HAC of ‘targeting camps for neglect’

The Association of Displaced Persons and Refugees of Darfur has accused the government and its Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) of “exerting pressure on organisations not to provide food to the displaced” of Kalma camp near Nyala, capital of South Darfur. The allegations have been denied by the HAC. Association spokesman Hussein Abu Sharati told Radio Dabanga that the displaced inhabitants of Kalma camp “have continued to suffer food shortages for a period of eight months”. He asserts that “the government and the HAC are pressurising organisations to dismantle camp Kalma,” adding: “Certain camps are targeted by the government; some camps in Darfur receive aid on a regular basis and some others do not.” HAC commissioner for South Darfur Jamal Youssef has described the accusation as “false and baseless”. Youssef responded to Radio Dabanga that the Commission has not prevented any organisation from working in camp Kalma and that the claim that no aid had been distributed for eight months is incorrect. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: 2013 ‘worst year for Darfur camps’: displaced association (18 June 2013) Sudan’s humanitarian aid commission announces new Darfur guidelines (1 March 2013)