Resource shortages have erupted throughout Darfur and critically affected camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), major cities, and villages in each of the three states. Erosion created by the heavy rainy season has left many roads difficult to travel upon if not impassible. This constraint, combined with the Government of Sudan limiting access for humanitarian operations – including the AU/UN joint peacekeeping taskforce (UNAMID) – has left many Darfuri civilians in dire need as food, fuel, shelter, medical supplies, and water scarcity prevails.
While resource shortages are not a new phenomenon to Darfuri civilians, the scope of the problem has rapidly increased in June and July as weather-worn roads have prevented aid convoys from reaching many parts of the region and the Khartoum government has restricted flights as well as other humanitarian entry throughout Darfur. Humanitarian organizations and UNAMID heavily rely upon these flights, especially during the rainy season, to reach displaced civilians and those in need and also to assess the security situations throughout the area. While flights have been continuously obstructed by the Sudanese government obtaining permission to fly has become increasingly difficult and according to UNAMID, flight cancellations due to Sudanese government restrictions have “risen from 21 per cent in May to 77 per cent in June 2010.” UNAMID patrols are essential to provide security for the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps and also to determine the situation on the ground. When convoys are restricted, civilian protection cannot occur, and in conflict-prone regions such as Jebel Moon and Jebel Marra, very little is known about the current conditions civilians face. Humanitarian organizations cannot be expected to operate effectively in these conditions – without the use of helicopters and planes to transport materials and aid personnel, organizations have very limited options due to security risks and the poor conditions of the roads. The ability to fly would place humanitarian workers at less risk, especially considering a recent surge in kidnappings; however, due to the recent restrictions it is becoming increasingly difficult for aid organizations to function, leaving the Darfuri civilians who depend upon them for survival in immensely difficult situation.
In another disturbing twist, described in the recent report by the UN Secretary General on the UNAMID mission, flights that could have provided emergency evacuation for UNAMID soldiers who tragically bled to death were not permitted by the Sudanese Government. The lack of permission for air support also prevented the soldiers from following the perpetrators responsible for the attacks. In response to international criticism on restrictions to aid and access, a leading member in the dominant National Congress Party (NCP) stated that the Sudanese government has “full sovereignty to take any measures that fall in the interest of the Sudanese people.” Evidently saving the lives of peacekeepers or bringing justice to their attackers is not in the interest of the Sudanese people, or at least the Sudanese government.
Flight cancelations have not been the only restriction to access. According to UNAMID many convoys have been denied entry without even being given any explanation. Many fuel tankers have also been restricted in the region and the lack of gasoline has led to a plethora of other issues, primarily a shortage of water. Many of the wells in Darfur are deep pits which require machinery to pump water to the surface. Without adequate fuel to run the machines, people are forced to go without water even during the hottest period of the year. Adequate water has been a major issue in Kalma, the second largest IDP camp in the world which hosts over 100,000 IDPs. The closest well that does not require gasoline to pump water is nearly 6 miles away and women who leave the camp put themselves run high risks of rape and other gender-based violence. Many IDP camps, such as Kalma, heavily rely upon aid organizations for resources such as food and fuel and when those supplies are blocked the situation on the ground can rapidly deteriorate.
Shortages, furthermore, are not restricted to IDP camps and are also found within larger cities such as El-Fasher, the capital of Northern Darfur. Earlier this month the city hospital ran out of medicine after deliveries that were supposed to resupply the facility failed to arrive. The fact that a major hospital, especially one located in a capital surrounded by IDP camps, could run out of medical supplies is incredibly troubling.
The Sudanese government has shifted the blame for the limited humanitarian access to the general security situation on ground. However, these restrictions have been present throughout the region and not purely confined to conflict areas. The constraint of access for UNAMID peacekeepers and humanitarian organizations appears to be yet another tactic aimed at Darfuri civilians, one that exploits poor road conditions and recent clashes between the government and rebels to deny entrance to those who attempt to protect and deliver aid to the Darfuri people. The international community must pressure the Sudanese government to allow full access for UNAMID forces and aid agencies to ensure civilians receive the protection and resources they depend upon.
