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While peace looms in southern Sudan, the very violent and hidden
civil war in the Darfur provinces in western Sudan continues to rage, displacing
half a mission of people. Last weekend the government of Sudan (GoS) finally gave
aid organisations, among them Médecins Sans Frontières, access to
Darfur. In neighbouring Chad Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland is
already caring for Sudanese refugees from Darfur for months, and is working along
a stretch of 200 kilometres along the Chadian-Sudanese border. Country Manager
there is Clea Kahn.
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© ANON/IPG
Refugees at the MSF Hospital in Chad. Their villages were "cleaned"
of 'blacks' by the Arab government. Government forces moved in after the bombing
and killed thousands.
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The main problems are lack of water and protection
of people.
The security situation has deteriorated a lot in the last two weeks in the
area where we are working. New clashes between Massaleit and Arab militias have
been reported. Although we are not seeing a huge number of wounded, the numbers
are increasing as a result of border insecurity.People have been shot at en route
to the border and there were a number of people brought to Adre hospital last
week who were wounded in cross-border attacks to steal cattle. Refugees in sites
at the border have been shot at when they collect water in the ‘wadi’
(dry riverbed) on the border. |
There is a rumour that the number of border incursions has increased because
refugees are being moved further into the interior of Chad and the militias want
to seize the last opportunity to steal some cattle. There was also a report this
week from Médecins Sans Frontières-Belgium that two children were
wounded by an explosive – possibly a mine – near the well where they
were collecting water.
According to UNHCR, some 110,000 people from Darfur have fled to Chad, some
30,000 to 50,000 of whom are living in the area where Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland
is working. We are supporting 3 health centres near the border – stragetically
located - where refugees who live near the border can receive free health care.
We have also vaccinated most of children under 5 year of age against measles.
And we are working in Adre hopsital where we follow up referral cases from the
entire areas. The precise number of refugees is difficult to measure as they are
very mobile. They sometimes move to safer places or places where they can find
more food.
| The assistance in terms of food aid on the border has been very limited,
but for the moment, there is no severe malnutrition. Refugees feel very insecure
near the border. UNHCR want to relocate the refugees but the problem is water.
The dry season is progressing, which is a difficult time for the entire population
of Chad, and there are chronic problems in this country with access to water.
Even in the planned relocation camps it has been difficult to find sufficient
water for the projected number of people.
For now, some 5 resettlement sites are underplanned, which is sufficient for
maximum 40,000 people if there is enough water. |
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© ANON/IPG
Refugees flee towards Chad in Western Darfur, Sudan after Their village was bombed
by government jets. Mass graves circle the villages. Bodies of young boys lie
unburied to send a message to stem further uprising.
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In addition to health centre support and hospital activities, Médecins
Sans Frontières-Holland is engaged in medical screening and transport of
vulnerable to the relocation site called Forchana camp. There we provide medical
and nutritional care but we are also responsible for the the pumping, transport,
distribution treatment of water.
More people are still coming and the refugees tell us that they can not return
because of security. They fear to be killed once they go back to their homes in
Sudan.
Meanwhile the Chadian population continues to be supportive of the refugees
in general. Naturally, of course, there are some tensions around scarce resources,
like water.
Clea Kahn via telephone, March 2003
| Caring for victims of war
The peace process between northern and southern Sudan that has been underway since 2002 has renewed hopes for an end to Africa's longest-running civil war. The conflict has cost almost two million lives, mostly civilians who have died from hunger and disease. Yet amid talk of peace between the north and the south, the westernmost region of Sudan, Darfur, became the site of a growing catastrophe in the past year. For years, MSF has assisted people in both northern and southern Sudan, providing basic health care at hospitals or through networks of clinics and health centers. Its work has included treating people with tuberculosis (TB), kala azar (visceral leishmaniasis) and other diseases; providing food; and treating the severely malnourished. MSF also delivers clean drinking water and provides sanitary facilities in areas where displaced people have sought shelter. » More | 
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