‘No food, medicines, protection’ in ten South Darfur camps

The ten Mershing camps for the displaced in South Darfur are suffering from a severe food shortage, lack of medicines, and a deterioration of the security situation in the locality. A resident from El Tom Kitir camp in the locality of Mershinq reported to Radio Dabanga that they have not received their food rations since September, explaining that the World Food Programme (WFP), which had stopped food distribution for a year, returned in September and distributed sorghum among the camp residents as food rations, for the months of August and September Since then, they have not received food aid. The camp resident explained that this would not be such a big problem had the planting season been successful this year. “And the crops that could be harvested were eaten by the camels and cattle of herdsmen who graze them on our farmlands by force of arms. Many farmers have been assaulted, shot, or injured while tending their farms.” He added that the health centres in the Mershing camps have no medicines at all. “We cannot afford to buy medicines from the market because of the high prices”. The camp resident appealed to WFP to speed up the provision of food and medicines, as well as the local and state authorities to provide protection and security. File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid Related:South Darfur teachers and Nyala’s surgeons continue striking (22 November 2013)Darfur farmers demand protection against herdsmen (12 November 2013)