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Sudan: Security issues affect NGO work in Darfur

Nick Archer, World Relief

Nick Archer works with World Relief, which works as part of a consortium of NGOs in Darfur, including CRWRC. This excerpt was edited by CRWRC staff for length.

The security situation in West Darfur continues to deteriorate. There were more attacks on civilian villages, which were destroyed, with people running away and increasing the number of internally displaced people in camps. By the end of the month the UN decided to raise the security sublevel and has reduced their staff. It is expected they might reduce it further. The indicators for the rise in security were cited as follows: The Chad and Sudan border insecurity-numerous cross-border attacks on Chadian villages along the border between Adré, Adé, and Modoyna in eastern Chad since early December 2005.

Most of the attacks were by Sudanese and Chadian militiamen from Darfur, some with apparent Sudanese government backing, including helicopter gunship support. The increasing attacks on villages in Chad, as well as on camps and aid workers in West Darfur in the past few months, have made the region extremely dangerous for international humanitarian groups. Therefore, only a few are currently operating in the border area. Indicators of looming major conflict, e.g., increased numbers of Government of Sudan army observed; rebel movement; Chadian troops on the other side of the border; and Arab militia in and around the border area. Fighting on the border...some artillery being used.

Local forces increasing their security via sandbags and embankments. Local authorities have told UN and NGO's to increase their security. More armed patrols seen on the streets of Geneina. Entry to some areas has been refused due to fear of attack. Fortunately the DRC operational area still remains a moderate security zone, with the exception of Sanidadi, which remains a high security zone, and is basically inaccessible. Managing a team working in a relatively safe area from a location considered unsafe presents its own set of management conundrums. All but 5 relocatable staff were able to conduct our first field exercise of 2006 from January 16-30.During this time the CRWRC/World Relief Field Director made a four day field visit to the district of Um Tagouk which was very successful. The Director had a meeting with the local leadership, made field visits and also visited the a Health Center. CRWRC is able to work in two of the three established program areas.