Omda and displaced arrested in El-Fasher

An activist from Zam Zam camp near El-Fasher, North Darfur, reported that members of the security service arrested a local omda and a displaced man on Wednesday, 3 October, in the state’s capital. The displaced man has been reportedly released, while the omda remains in custody and the activist fears he may be subjected to torture and ill-treatment. The reason for the arrest is not clear. The source told Radio Dabanga that omda Haroun Nimr Khamis, Head of Health Committee at the Zam Zam camp and the displaced Abdullah Ismail were arrested in front of the Ministry of Health in El-Fasher. The activist explained the detained men were representing the camp in a meeting with the director and head of the emergency department at the Ministry of Health, and were arrested afterwards. The activist requested the omda’s immediate release. Malaria The same source also informed Radio Dabanga that a large number of residents in Zam Zam are current suffering from malaria. He added that environmental conditions and medical services at the camp are severely deteriorating. The activist announced that 1.800 toilets at the camp have collapsed due to the recent heavy rains, explaining that there is much stagnant water where the toilets used to be. According to the source, people are now consuming this water, which became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies that transmit malaria. The number of residents at the camp has reportedly increased after the incidents in East Jebel Marra, the camp’s activist said, stressing that the poor medical structure in Zam Zam is not enough to cater all patients.