Just How Bad Is the Situation in Darfur?

After the previous posts, thought it might be useful to offer a snapshot of the current situation in Darfur, six weeks after the Sudanese Government expelled thirteen of the largest aid agencies.

First, please read this excellent blog on AlertNet by an anonymous aid worker, explaining how the Sudanese Government continues to pressure humanitarian agencies, even those which were already expelled:

"Although our programmes have been shut down, we still have concerns about the safety of our staff. Our Sudanese colleagues remain in the country, vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. Some have been interrogated, others are scared they will be next. Many organisations still have a small number of international staff left in Khartoum. Some had their passports taken by the government and have been told they will not be allowed to leave Sudan until the 'closure' has been completed to the government's satisfaction."

As for the overall humanitarian situation in Darfur itself:

No widespread hunger, at least not yet

In total, 1.1 million people relied on the expelled aid agencies for food assistance.

The World Food Program was able to organize a one-off emergency food distribution to cover those affected through March and April; WFP is now working to organize a second food distribution for May and June.

That said, the most vulnerable are already beginning to suffer

That said, huge gaps still remain, especially when it comes to therapeutic feeding centers and supplementary food programs aimed at the most vulnerable and malnourished.  According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

"In March, 5,000 malnourished children under five and pregnant and lactating women did not receive supplementary food due to absence of a partner."

Fewer people have access to health care

Again, according to UN OCHA:

"Only about 30 percent of the 650,000 people that had lost health care coverage following the 4 March decision have received some form of health care assistance."

Fewer people have access to hygiene and sanitation services

The expelled aid agencies together helped provide clean drinking water to 1.16 million people.  Water supplies in many of the affected areas are now being managed by Sudanese State Water Corporations.

That said, remaining aid agencies have found it difficult to cover gaps in sanitation and hygiene services.

Hundreds of thousands have been deprived of essential non-food items

Over 690,000 people in North and West Darfur are still without access to essential non-food items.  This includes over 42,000 people at Zam Zam camp in North Darfur who are without emergency shelter.

Certain areas have been affected more than others

The good news, such as it is, again from UN OCHA:

"Food distributions started on 7 April in Kalma camp, after nearly three weeks of the IDPs' refusal of all humanitarian assistance in protest of the Government's expulsion of INGOs. Humanitarian access for all other forms of assistance (water and sanitation, health and nutrition and education) is still being negotiated."

The not so-good news - according to the Enough blog:

"Through recent phone conversations with people in ZamZam camp in North Darfur, we learned that the sewage system in the camp has been cut off, and people are now forced to relieve themselves wherever they can in the crowded camp or risk leaving relative safety. Clean water in camps like ZamZam is becoming increasingly scarce, a problem that stands to worsen as the temperatures in the arid Sahelian desert during the 'hot season' of April and May spike to over 110 degrees F."

And, from a confidential source - ten people in Zam Zam have recently died from diarrhoea, and "there are serious concerns about health and sanitation in the camp."  A recent UN assessment mission was denied access to the camp by Sudanese national security forces.  Other camps, including Abu Shouk, Al Salaam and Shangil Tobai, are also reporting a deterioration in sanitary conditions.

[Photo of a camp in North Darfur from Oxfam]