Aid Gaps in Darfur, Or Not So Much?

by Michael Bear · 2009-07-13 16:34:00 +0930
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Following this morning's Sudan-theme - my genocide co-blogger Michelle has a fascinating post on whether aid gaps still exist in Darfur four months after the expulsion of 16 aid agencies.  According to Michelle:

"[T]he government claims that the humanitarian aid situation is under control, with all of the gaps created by the aid group expulsions taken care of. Yet Darfuris in the camps are calling into Radio Dabanga with stories of water, food, and medicine shortages. Camp leaders complain that international visitors are only shown what the government of Sudan wants them to see."

The blog While We Wait adds more detail:

"This morning a woman in Abu Shouk IDP camp (near El Fasher capital of North Darfur) complaint [sic] bitterly about the worsening conditions in the camp since the expulsion of the NGOs. She said to Radio Dabanga that rain added to the problems of sheltering. A leader said the impact of the expulsion of specific NGOs in the medical care is felt by thousands of the refugees in the camp. The Leader told Radio Dabanga that the Red Cross is stretched thin and now the very sick get prescriptions but no medicine in the camp."

At the least, food is still reaching those in need. The UN reports that "food distributions are continuing to over three million beneficiaries in Darfur," tho the number of people who require assistance is expected to rise to 3.8 million during the "hunger gap" period leading up to the harvest in October.

For a detailed overview of the humanitarian situation in Darfur, please see the most recent UN OCHA humanitarian action weekly bulletin.

[Photo from ocfordarfur.wordpress.com]

Michael Bear
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