DFID working in Darfur region with Save the Children
Eissa and Asha's story |
Food and nutrition | Health
| Child protection
Image courtesy of Save the Children
Around the area of Nyala, in South Darfur in Sudan,  Save the Children UK
(SCUK) is
working to assist 4 main concentrations of internally displaced people (IDPs)
and the existing communities where the IDPs have temporarily settled.
SCUK, with over £1 million from the UK Department for International Development, is
working to improve nutrition, health and child protection in the camps in and
around Kass, Manawashie, Mershing and Dumma
Eissa and Asha's story
Eissa and Asha (not their real names) are both from a village called Surufu
not far from Dumma. One night their village was attacked by Arab militias on
camels. The women, including Asha, and children fled to the surrounding forest
to hide before making it to Dumma camp a week later.
Meanwhile 16 of the village men were murdered, their village looted,
livestock stolen and their homes destroyed. Eissa was left for dead having been
shot in the groin but managed to survive and make it to Dumma. Now in the camp
Eissa is unable to provide for his family as he risks being attacked or killed
if he leaves the environs of the camp. Asha does her best to provide for her
nine children but only two days ago she managed to escape from Arab militia who
tried to grab her whilst collecting straw to make mats to sell in the
market.
She was lucky, many other women have been captured and raped. Unable to leave
the camp due to insecurity Eissa and Asha are now dependent on handouts from aid
agencies and the UN.
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Food and nutrition
Through a therapeutic feeding centre in Mershing SCUK are treating the worst
cases of malnutrition, with medical complications, in the camps in the
surrounding area. Typically those worst affected are children under the age of
five. They are given a special milk which they are fed every 3 hours until they
have regained their appetites and strength.
Children suffering from severe malnutrition, and no serious medical
complications, are treated with a nut-based paste called 'plumpynut' which the
mothers feed the children 3 times a day at home.
Less severe cases of malnourishment, mostly children and pregnant women,
receive supplementary feeding in the form of oil, soya and corn every two weeks.
In addition expecting mothers receive health and nutritional education.
SCUK is working in conjunction with the World Food Programme (UN) to deliver
general food rations (consisting of corn, soya, oil, salt and pulses) to the
IDPs in Dumma. The men, women and children of Dumma are struggling to feed
themselves as insecurity around the camp has meant they are unable to collect
materials with which they traditionally make straw mats. Ordinarily the straw
mats would be sold at market and the money used to buy food for their families.
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Health
SCUK has established 6 tented health clinics and an additional mobile clinic
to serve the IDPs in the camps.
Working in conjunction with the Sudanese Ministry of Health the doctors and
nurses are treating almost 3000 individuals a week, the majority of whom are
children suffering from diarrhoea or malaria. The doctors are also treating
other medical complications such as respiratory problems brought on by
malnutrition.
SCUK is identifying and training health workers and traditional birth
attendants from within the IDP communities. Traditional Birth Attendants will be
trained in hygiene and possible complications and provided with a mobile
delivery kit (including cord clamps, soap, cloth and sterile blades for cutting
the umbilical cord).
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Child protection
Children, as with many conflict situations, are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of insecurity and the children in Darfur are no exception. Many have
witnessed horrific brutality as their villages have been attacked and destroyed
by Arab militias and friends and relatives murdered.
And often security in the camps they have escaped to is no better. Young
girls risk being raped every time they go out to collect firewood or materials
with which to make their shelter. Children have been living in insecure
temporary camps for many months with no education, little food and inadequate
health services.
SCUK is also working to help the IDP communities cope with the effects of the
conflict, insecurity and violence through the training of social workers and
teachers, and the provision of recreation and education facilities that help the
healing process. Children have requested play things such as drawing materials,
balls and drums.
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