Guisma’s story, one of many similar accounts, parallels the conflict in Darfur.  In the  first of three episodes about her experience, Guisma’s home is destroyed and many of her family members are killed.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The second episode in Guisma’s story shows her journey to the refugee camps and her life there:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please help shine a light on Guisma’s story and the plight of Darfuri’s by taking action at Sudan Now’s website.   You can also  join the rapid response team through their Twitter and Facebook pages.

March 8 was International Women’s Day, a very special day for me personally as a Sudanese woman from Darfur. It’s an important moment in which I stand in recognition of the struggle of the Darfuri women and as part of women’s struggle worldwide. Despite the suffering, Darfuri women have demonstrated outstanding resilience and strength and have served as leaders and spokesperson’s for their communities during the ongoing genocide in Darfur, for which they have to be recognized, particularly those who are still living in the camps.

March 8th was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. In 1911 – the year the holiday was first celebrated internationally – women could not yet vote in most countries. It is worth noting that women have accomplished a lot globally since then , however, that is  not because the world have changed or opened its arms for women to come forward and have access to the different levels of participation, no, this is not simply the case! It’s because of women’s unspeakable struggles. Despite the fact that today a number of women serve as presidents and in other positions of power, there is still a long way to go if women are to enjoy the same access and rights as men. Looking at UN’s  this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “Equal access to education, training, and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women,” indeed it is a very vital goal to be accomplished, however it’s extremely overwhelming when I look back and see the challenges ahead for women like those in Darfur.

For 8 years, while women around the globe have celebrated International Women’s Day, Darfuri women endure horror and fear every single hour of their existence. Since 2003, women in Darfur have been crying for security, protection and decent life with dignity as their minimum very basic rights, only to see handful promises from the international community.

Today as I am writing, rape and all forms of sexual violence has become part of the Darfuri women’s daily life, following news coming from on the ground in Darfur, at least 10 women are raped every week and these reports are only from those who can be able to speak or find someone who can speak for them. There are many more uncounted cases of those out of reach who can’t speak for themselves. After 8 years of suffering and oppression, it’s very unfortunate to see how the world leaders have failed the Darfuris by their inaction.

Listening to the Netherlands based Radio Dabanga, women have been asked in this occasion to describes  their situation, as one woman from Zalingi said, “in this special day we are not celebrating , because we have been deprived from  life, we are constantly oppressed and set to live in fear for being attacked at any time. The government has oppressed us through rape, starvation and forced us to live in salience, this is happening within the watch of the United Nations/African Union Mission (UNAMID) that is suppose to protect us”.

In Sudan today, the systematic rape have been extended by the government’s security apparatus to target even Darfuri women in the capital Khartoum as in case of Safia Ishag who was arrested following the students uprising and brutally raped by three national security agents. The government has also integrated violence against women into its state laws which legalize the flogging of women in public because of their choices such as of wearing pants.  On March 8th Sudanese women in Khartoum went out to denounce these state laws, leading a peaceful protest against women’s oppression and demanding legal reforms. Sadly over 40 women have been beaten, arrested, and forcefully kept for further interrogation.

As one of the first-hand witnesses to the horror against women in Darfur and Sudan at large, I am determined to continue to speak for them to remind the world of the forgotten plights of my fellow people in Darfur. We must remind those leaders who have not kept their promises and call upon women leaders, particularly in the United States such as Secretary of the State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the US ambassador for global women’s issues, who have shown commitment to women issues that Darfuri women need your voices and demand your commitment to lead and rally the support for ending the tragic conditions that have surrounded their make shift camps for 8 years in Darfur. As women leaders, with competence and capability it’s imperative that you become the voice for those who are left voiceless in Darfur, and you should not allow the indicted genocidal criminal Al-Basher to rule over their destiny.

I urge the attention of women leaders worldwide, those who have devoted themselves to fight for women’s rights, to tell the world that Darfuri women need protection, security and safety. I call upon those who have committed to fight impunity that achieving justice and accountability for the crimes committed against the Darfuri women is morally imperative.

Finally, I can’t let this moment goes without recognizing the remarkable role played by Netherlands based Radio Dabanaga,  which lunched special radio program devoted to give Darfuri women a voice. It does not only give them the hope that they can now make their voices heard, but it will bring their plight to the attention of the world community. If a little radio can give a woman a voice, then why not the United Nations with its huge operation, or why does the United States not take such practical steps that can substantially benefit women? It’s evident that if we can’t do everything we can still do something that can tangibly improve the life of women in some areas that they need the most.

Refugee children on the border between Chad and Darfur are consistently in need of educational supplies, and as Stauring has seen in his previous visits, extremely eager to read.  While books often seem like sensible donations, transporting them to isolated areas such as Chad and Darfur is often pricey and logistically difficult.  The i-ACT team recognized this challenge and decided to do something cutting edge about it.

Tomorrow, members of the i-ACT team will embark on “Expedition #10,” and depart for refugee camps on the Darfur-Chad border, bringing with them ten Kindle Wireless Reading Devices.  These devices have the capacity to hold thousands of books in English, French, and Arabic on one portable electronic instrument.  Using a solar-equipped computer system, previously installed by i-ACT at one of the two camps they plan to visit, the Kindles (capable of holding a charge for one month) can be recharged when necessary and will be housed in a school environment for safe-keeping. The Kindle’s lightweight, sturdy design, and its readability in light and darkness, makes it especially practical for such remote areas.

The viability of this rare project and its anticipated success lies in the cultivation of the deeply-rooted relationships between Stauring and the refugee community.  And, with nine visits under his belt, Stauring is well aware that there might be bumps along the way, but acknowledges that this longstanding relationship will allow the team to ‘fine tune the program’ and make adjustments on future visits.

Letter from Student (i-ACT)

Most importantly, i-ACT is invested to ensuring that refugees play a leading role in the project’s development.  The team plans to collaborate with the refugees to establish a library system that houses the e-Readers and serves as a space where refugees can easily access them.  Librarians will keep track of the most popular books so that i-ACT can return with similar ones on subsequent trips.

Looking beyond the coming weeks, Stauring and the rest of the team at i-ACT hope that this will be a lasting project and one that greatly contributes to the education and overall quality of life for young refugees.  As Stauring mentioned in a recent e-mail, “More than anything else, they [the refugee children] see education and reading as the key to their future” and these e-Readers will be one of the tools helping them reach their fullest potential.

i-ACT will start delivering the Kindles tomorrow (March 19th). You can follow the team’s journey as they post videos, blogs, and photos from the refugee camps.  They will capture the delivery of the Kindle e-Readers and share it at www.iactivism.org.

To learn more about the project please visit i-ACT’s project page at http://www.iactivism.org/2011/03/reading-project/.

On Sunday, February 20^th, I joined a dedicated group of American activists from diverse faiths, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, that united to protest in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C.   We were there to call for an end to the systematic violence against civilians in Darfur. For each month in the past four years, the Darfur Interfaith Network (D.I.N.) has come to stand with the victims of genocide in Darfur and support the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan.  On the Sunday that I attended, the group celebrated the peaceful completion of the South Sudan Referendum and called on the United States government and international community to turn their attention to the escalation of violence in Darfur.

Laura Katz Cutler, the founder of D.I.N. said, “We have been doing this for four years, and will never, ever stop until the genocide victims in Darfur are freed and they can live in peace and with dignity. We are committed to stand here every third Sunday of the month to tell our government that the war in Darfur is not over and it is too early to normalize relations with Khartoum or lift sanctions or remove their name from the state sponsors of the terrorism list, while the genocide is ongoing in Darfur.”

I shared with the activists the heartbreaking news about the current situation in Darfur, including the continued attacks against civilians, which killed over 2,300 Darfuris and displaced over 300,000 more, and the increased cases of sexual violence that are being reported nearly every day. December’s indiscriminate bombings in Jebel Marra, Thabit, Shangle Tobai, and many more areas in North and South Darfur displaced over 40,000 people and left thousands without critical aid. Unfortunately, the UNAMID troops that are there to protect civilians are hogtied by the Sudanese government’s obstructionism and the unwillingness of the international community to hold Khartoum accountable.  I told the group “Sadly, despite the devastation and the tragic situation for our people in Darfur, the Obama administration announced its plan to normalize relations with the al-Bashir regime and to take Sudan’s name off the list of the state sponsors of terrorism.”

Jimmy Mula, the President of Voices for Sudan and originally from South Sudan, said “We are grateful that the referendum went peacefully, however our task has not yet been completed as long as Darfur is still burning and the indicted president is still dictating over the Sudanese people affairs. The time has not yet come for America to normalize relations; we must write to the Obama Administration to tell him that we are against the normalization with Bashir and that his policy toward normalization should be revisited.” Mohamed Yahya, a Darfuri American and the Executive Director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, stated, “It’s very unfortunate that this great country is planning to reward the regime that killed millions of people, in both the civil war in South Sudan and the current genocide in Darfur.  It’s known to the world that he has been indicted for genocide, and shame on us, the American people, if we can’t tell our government not to do so”.

Miss Katz Cutler said, ”From what we have seen in the recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, it’s proven that only the will of people can remain the power that can bring the change. Therefore there is no reason for us not to continue support the will of the people of Darfur to live in peace.”

At the end of the vigil, we gathered and prayed together and reiterated our commitment to continue to do whatever it takes to stand with the victims of the Darfur genocide. I left with much hope and energy.

I am convinced that the promise of “Never Again” can only become reality if ordinary citizens work for it. Groups like the Darfur Interfaith Vigil are not hesitant to tell their government and the world that they demand that President al-Bashir be held accountable for the crimes against humanity and genocide.

I believe that those of us who are lucky to have escaped the ongoing genocide in Darfur are obliged to be the voice for our people who have been oppressed and silenced. We must stand firm, build strong alliances with all people of conscience to fight against genocide and mass atrocities everywhere, and continue to defend the rights of all the oppressed and their equal access to justice and human rights.

Niemat Ahmadi, Diaspora Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition

About http://www.hope4darfurmarch.org/darfur-interfaith-network

Reuters Photo: Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and General Salva Kiir (L), first vice-president of Sudan and governor of Southern Sudan, is seen at the presidential palace in Khartoum in this video frame grab taken February 7, 2011.

Today’s announcement by the South Sudan Referendum Commission confirming  that 98.83 percent of southerners voted for independence, is an historical accomplishment.  It marks the official end of the referendum process and the informal beginning of the post-referendum period.  Acceptance of the results by Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir adds further confidence that southern independence will be realized.

The Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition today congratulated the people of Sudan, but urged sustained U.S. and international attention to the interim period before South Sudan’s official independence in July. Many tensions will have to be addressed before the vision of a peaceful separation can be realized.  In the time between now and official independence on July 9th a host of post-referendum issues remain to be resolved and preparations must be made for the effective emergence of two new states, one in the north and one in the south.  Already there are troubling signs in both.

Tensions in the South

In the south, development numbers are daunting.  There are only around 67 miles of paved roads across a country the size of France.  Over 4 million vulnerable people required food assistance last year.  Some 85 percent of the population is illiterate, and a South Sudanese girl is more likely to die in childbirth than to learn to read and write.

Adding to development challenges are internal tensions in the south where tribal rivalries, free-flowing arms, renegade militias, and rampant cattle raiding threaten to spark violence.  More than half of the Government of South Sudan goes toward defense and promises of government cash to would-be defectors will only add to the financial strain.  Last week, southern militias making up Joint Integrated Units refused to give up weapons and move north, leading to the deaths of at least 50 people.

Violence in the North

In the north, violence and violations of basic rights continue, leaving concerns about what a newly constituted north will look like when the south secedes and its most prominent opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement is no longer a part of the government.  Just last week there were troubling reports of mass arrests of human rights activists planning protests inspired by high food prices and recent events in Egypt.  One student participating in protests was reportedly beaten to death.

Beyond Khartoum, Darfur continues to be ravaged by instability.  Over 40,000 people have been displaced in Darfur since December.  UNAMID has been repeatedly denied access to areas in Darfur and a Sudanese Armed Forces Commander recently threatened to burn down a UNAMID mission team site and the camps of internally displaced persons.

Need for Sustained U.S. and International Engagement

Recent violence underscores the importance of continued U.S. and international engagement in both the north and the south.  The south will require support in facing internal tensions and managing the high expectations that come with independence. The government in the north must be held accountable for addressing the grievances of regions beyond Khartoum, starting with Darfur.  In particular, Darfur peace efforts must continue in a neutral, internationally mediated location, not in country as asserted by the Government of Sudan.  Credible progress in Darfur defined by cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, must be seen before normalization of relations between the United States and the government in north Sudan can be realized.

High-level U.S. and international attention must be sustained if the milestone of independence is going to be reached and the vision of a peaceful Sudan realized, both in the north and the south.

Omar al-Bashir at the 12th A.U. Summit

The referendum on independence for Southern Sudan has come off with minimal violence, and it seems that Sudan’s president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir will accept the inevitable outcome: Southern secession.  The Obama administration is rightfully pleased with how the referendum has been carried out, but this is not the time to let up. A peaceful resolution to the North-South conflict may be possible, but there are many issues that are not yet resolved, and the situation in Darfur remains unstable and threatening to those living there in camps for displaced persons. We must urge the White House to stay engaged.

Some in the West, such as The Guardian’s Simon Tisdall, have proclaimed that “Sudan’s rehabilitation has begun.”  Tisdall seems so sanguine, in fact, that he even implies that “setting the much misunderstood Darfur situation to one side,” Bashir is not really the bad actor that “rightwing American” activists portray him to be.

With all due respect to Tisdall, I ask: What?

Is there anything to be misunderstood about the organized slaughter in Darfur of as many as 450,000 men, women and children, the rape of tens of thousands of women and girls, the displacement of millions and the undermining of humanitarian groups trying to get them food, water and medicine?  And how should we interpret the intense and sporadic outbreaks of new violence in that area in the last several weeks?

Is genocide something we can paper over as Tisdall suggests?

I wish I could be so optimistic—Tisdall should be commended for breaking new ground in implying that I and my activist colleagues are “right wing” – but the facts prevent me from sharing in his premature excitement over Sudan. It is naïve to assume that Bashir’s cooperation with the referendum is anything other than real politik. Indeed, the Sudanese president has plenty of reasons, besides goodwill, to play nice. Not long ago, fellow activist John Prendergast offered a few:

• The sanctions and embargoes imposed on Sudan by the West have put a dark cloud over his regime, and those who have dealt with him personally have said that he desperately wants legitimacy;

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for Bashir’s arrest for crimes against humanity, which according to Article 16 of the ICC’s charter can be deferred by the U.N. Security Council on a yearly basis;

• The Khartoum government has run up a $35 billion debt and has been angling to be included on the International Monetary Fund’s list of Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, which would qualify Sudan for debt relief;

• If war were to break out in the South, much of the oil and Chinese investment in infrastructure could be vulnerable; and

• The U.S.’s longtime support for Southern Sudan’s self determination has created a reason for Bashir to worry about a scenario where a free Southern Sudan becomes a model democracy in the West’s eyes while Northern Sudan remains a pariah state. Bashir wants to create the perception that his government has its act together as well.

If respecting a previously-signed treaty that mandated this referendum can sufficiently demonstrate that he is a “misunderstood” actor, then Bashir has won. But given his track record, the bar should be set much higher. Human rights abuses must end immediately and the Government of Sudan must allow for open expression; it must welcome the growth of civil society; it must do all it can to ensure that any future elections are free from violence and intimidation; and it must stop undermining humanitarian workers and peacekeepers trying to do their jobs. Since his party’s re-election last summer, Bashir’s government seems to be failing on all of these counts.

According to the Sudan Human Rights Monitor, here are just a few examples:

• In early August, the government-affiliated Central Council of Journalists moved to cancel the membership of any journalist who is a member of either of the two independent unions that are far more outspoken about free press issues;

• A few days later, government officials intimidated an employers’ union hall into pulling the plug on its plans to host a meeting of the Sudan Womens’ Solidarity for Darfuri Women forum and a government agency cancelled the forum the following week;

• Also in early-September, National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) agents arrested two members of the Communist Party for distributing statements that objected to the increase of food prices in Eastern Sudan;

• In early-September, Sudanese authorities in the eastern part of the country confiscated and later razed a building owned by an environmental protection NGO; and

• In late-September, the NISS arrested a women’s rights activist/journalist and reportedly held her without food or water for eight hours as she was interrogated about her dealings with the ICC;

• In early October, a student was arrested in Khartoum by the NISS after attending an event organized by the Student Campaign to Support South Sudan Separation. According to reports he was severely beaten, his genitals were squeezed with sharp metal objects and his life was threatened; and

• On October 27, two students affiliated with the Sudan Alliance Party were arrested by NISS agents, taken to a remote area near the Red Sea and tortured after criticizing a student union led by members of Bashir’s NCP.

As the Sudanese government continues to intimidate journalists and prevent the organizing efforts of activists and civil society groups, its army continues to undermine the security situation in Darfur, which once again seems to be deteriorating. In addition to a September attack on a Darfuri village that killed dozens of civilians, an ongoing spate of isolated attacks on IDP camp leaders, and violent lootings of aid convoys by Sudanese army troops, 21 people died in late January during clashes between Darfuri rebel groups and the Sudanese army. The army has also recently raided two refugee camps without warning the joint United Nations-African Union (UNAMID) peacekeeping force—a protocol it has agreed to follow before entering camps. It then prevented UNAMID personnel from entering the camps.

Now, even if we were to crawl under a rock and ignore one of the world’s worst humanitarian situations, we would still be left with the situation between North and South Sudan. The referendum took place, people were allowed to vote, and Bashir seems to be standing by his word that he would recognize the South’s independence. But how will the borders be drawn? What about the disputed Abeyei region, where the population remains bitterly divided? What will be the framework for sharing revenue from the oil fields in the South? What will be the terms for the South to use the oil pipeline, which runs through Northeastern Sudan to the Red Sea? And what will be the status of Southerners living in the North and vice versa?

These questions do not represent intractable obstacles, but there will be fierce disagreements and there is a critical need for an honest, top-level diplomatic effort to help navigate this nuanced terrain and broker a final deal. In the lead-up to the referendum, President Obama and his team proved capable of playing such a role. Please join me in asking the White House to keep up the good work and to remain committed to peace in all of Sudan, including Darfur.

Ruth W. Messinger is president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), a faith-based international human rights organization that works to alleviate poverty, hunger and disease in the developing world.

UNAMID rapid assessment mission in Shangil Tobaya, after recent clashes in December Picture: UNAMID - Olivier Chassot

According to UNAMID, the SAF commander then threatened to burn down the camp and mission’s team site if the peacekeepers.  Fortunately, UNAMID stood its ground and the government troops withdrew. While UNAMID has not shown consistent effectiveness in carrying out its Chapter VII mandate through the use of necessary force to protect civilians, peacekeepers at this team site put themselves at extreme risk to protect Darfuri civilians.

The return of IDP’s, which the SAF attempted to carry out on Wednesday, is a major piece of the Government of Sudan’s strategy for Darfur. The government claims that there are only pockets of insecurity in Sudan and that IDP’s should begin to return home. However, the situation in Darfur is far from stable and is not conducive for the return of displaced civilians. Beyond security, many of villages have been destroyed and IDP property may be occupied by Arab settlers. There are two likely motives behind the Khartoum’s push for the returns of IDPs: the government views many of these IDP camps as a source of rebel support and activity; also, if the IDP’s were to be resettled they would lose their claim to their original homelands. Currently over 2.7 million civilians, 1/3^rd of the population in Darfur, live in IDP camps and over 300,000 were displaced this year alone.

Ambassador Dane Smith

In a letter to Ambassador Dane Smith, the newly appointed U.S. Senior Advisor for Darfur, Darfuri diaspora civil society leaders stated: “With the international communities’ focus on referendum for independence in South Sudan, Darfur has been largely overlooked and Omar Al-Basher’s regime has taken the opportunity to further oppress Darfuri civil society and initiate attacks against civilians.”

Today the situation in Darfur is gravely dangerous; with over 4 million people affected by war and depending completely on food aid for almost 8 years. The majority of whom have been internally displaced and remain subject to the direct attacks, abduction, arrest, rape and the deprivation of food, rape of women and girls and sadly their fate is left to be determined by the indicted genocidal criminal Al-Basher.

The escalation of attacks by the Janjaweed and the government army has been increasing since March 2010 after the renewal of fighting between the government and the Darfuri movements. The obstruction of aid assistance and the systematic targeting of the Darfur human right defenders and the civil society activists everywhere in Sudan is dramatically increasing and has brought a new dimension to the tragic situation that our people are living in.

Over the past few months in Darfur there have been several reports of violent attacks by the Government of Sudan (GoS) against the innocent civilians such as the recent attack on Khor Abeche which set off a renewal of fighting in December between the government and the Darfur rebel groups. The aerial bombing of villages by Khartoum  and fighting between the government and rebels has resulted in displacement of over 32,000 civilians in December and an estimated 300,000 in 2010 alone, most of whom are left with no access to humanitarian assistance.

Darfuri diaspora rally at the United Nations in 2009

Between October 30th and November 7th the government arrested 13 Darfur human rights activists and journalists in Khartoum and is still detaining them. I’ve heard news from Sudan that they have been tortured and continue to be denied access to meet their families and lawyers. In the beginning December, two prominent women civil society and peace activists, were arrested by the government security forces and are still in detention today. There has been news that they have been tortured and have only recently been granted access to their families and lawyers. Both women are accused of crimes against state for which the maximum sentence is death and we are extremely worried about the safety. This in addition, there are an uncounted number of IDPs, who have been held in detention for more than one year without charges.

Rape and sexual violence against women and girls is has increasing dramatically over the past several months and sexual and gender based violence has been reported in IDP camps in Darfur as well as in the refugees camps in Chad nearly every day. Even inside the capital cities of the three Darfur states, where UNAMID headquarters are based, with total impunity, as example: on Jan 3rd six women were raped in Nyala near Ottash camp and left  with no physical treatment or  psychosocial support.

Currently, the Darfuri refugees in Chad and Central African Republic are left vulnerable more than ever before after the recent withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping force, MINURCAT. The combined the lack of the capacity of the Chadian Army to protect refugees and the existing competition between the Chadian IDPs, civilians and the refugees as well as the unpredictable tension between Chadian rebels and the Chad government’s Army. Consequently, we have been troubled by the Statement made by Sudan’s Minister of Interior in a press release following his meeting with Al-Basher on January 2nd, stated that they have laid two security plans for Darfur, first to redistribute security and police forces all over Darfur, and the second to repatriate refugees from Chad, 300 families to the three Darfur states in the first quarter of 2011 from January –February. With the lack of security and the peace which remain cloudy in Darfur, any attempt for repatriation will be disastrous. Refugees should be voluntary and facilitated by the UN as usual and only when the conditions for return are created. In Central African Republic, the situation for the Darfuri refugees is worsening as reported by Radio Dabanga on January 7th that 2,800 refugees are facing acute food shortage.

The Obama Administration has promised to reward al-Basher if he allows a peaceful referendum for the South. While myself and all Darfuris are wholeheartedly supporting the referendum as a legitimate right for the South, time has not yet come for the U.S. to reward the man who has committed genocide and still oppressing and killing people to stay in power. The people of Darfur are looking to you, the American people who have been advocating for their rights for almost seven years, if you can tell your government that if Obama wants to keep this country great, he should listen to all of you who demanded justice and peace for the victims of the 21st century’s genocide in Darfur. We all should tell the Administration that premature rewards for Al-Basher shouldn’t be prioritized before achieving lasting peace and accountability for crimes committed in Darfur. Both the people of Darfur and the South have been and are victimized by the regime in Khartoum, and the U.S. has the moral responsibility to support their legitimate rights to live in peace and dignity.

As stated by my colleague Sam Bell the Executive Director of GI-Net/ Save Darfur Coalition, following the peaceful start of the vote for South referendum “the U.S. diplomacy has yielded positive results, but still there is a long way to go” so we still have to keep an eye on the historical vote for the South and the vulnerable situation in Darfur.

From the U.N.:

The number of displaced persons shelting outside three UNAMID team sites in South Darfur after the recent outbreak of fighting last week has been revised after consultations with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNAMID’s Humanitarian Liaison office and peacekeepers on the ground.

It is now believed that there are over 18,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and around the Khor Abeche area, including 5,000 and 3,000 reportedly displaced in Negaha and Shaeria respectively.

Approximately 14,000 people have been displaced in and around Shangil Tobaya. Peacekeepers estimate the number of IDPs around the team site there to be between three and four thousand.

All three team sites have been providing water and limited medical assistance to the IDPs and are requesting urgent humanitarian support.

The Mission continues to work with aid groups and government officials to try to secure safe access for aid workers. UNAMID peacekeepers have increased their presence on the ground to ensure the protection of these displaced persons.

Zam Zam Camp February 2010

This weekend Reuters reported an attack in Darfur that displaced 12,000 civilians.

Sudan’s army has clashed with insurgents in the South Darfur village of Khor Abeche at least three times this month, drawing sharp criticism from U.N. envoys.

“The Mission has noticed that approximately 12,000 people fled the area and are moving toward Shangil Tobaya and Zam Zam internally displaced persons camp, near El Fasher, North Darfur,” said Darfur’s UNAMID peacekeepers in a statement.

Another news report carried a sharp response from the White House in Washington:

Mike Hammer, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said Sudanese authorities have the responsibility to protect its citizens, condemning the attack in the strongest terms.

“The United States is deeply concerned about reports that the Sudanese armed forces attacked and burnt the village of Khor Abeche in South Darfur,” he said in a statement.

Save Darfur is closely monitoring this situation and condemns acts of violence against civilians by any party.  It appears that clashes between Sudanese armed forces and the rebel faction led by Minni Minawi led to this displacement.

Thinking of thousands of civilians fleeing north to Shangil Tobaya and Zam Zam camps hits home for me since I traveled to this area in February 2010 on a human rights assessment and met the tribal leaders of Zam Zam camp.  At the time, SLA-Minni Minawi forces were protecting Zam Zam camp in cooperation with UNAMID police forces based in El Fasher.  This was the one camp I visited (compared to 5 others) where the the IDP’s thought UNAMID was doing a good job of protection.  Now, with increasing violence between the SLA- Minni Minawi forces and the Government of Sudan forces, I fear for the safety of this camp where over 100,000 IDPs reside.

I took this photo of Zam Zam camp on a trip to Darfur in February 2010.