Al-Daein, July 14 (Darfur24)
Hundreds of families in East Darfur have established new displacement camps in the hope of receiving food assistance after relief distributions in their communities were suspended for more than a year, according to displaced residents and local officials.
Halima Hussein, a resident of Al-Salam camp south of Abu Karinka, told Darfur24 that many women and children had moved into the camp after officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare informed them that food aid would only be distributed to registered camps.
“The suspension of aid forced many families to leave their homes and settle in the camp because they fear missing future food distributions,” she said.
A member of the camp’s management committee, who requested anonymity, said more than 3,700 displaced people have been registered. Most recently arrived from Kordofan, while others had previously been staying with relatives or in temporary shelters in the area.
He said new arrivals continue to reach the camp from villages around Abu Karinka, warning that overcrowding and shortages of shelter materials and basic services are worsening living conditions.
The trend has spread to other parts of East Darfur. Similar camps have been established in Al-Firdous and Asalaya localities, where officials said more than 4,000 displaced people have gathered in Al-Firdous and around 2,000 in Asalaya.
Adam Al-Rawdi, Director-General of the Ministry of Social Welfare in East Darfur, called on humanitarian organizations to urgently assess conditions in the new camps and provide assistance.
He said the displaced lack basic necessities, while delayed rains and rising food prices are deepening the humanitarian crisis across the state.