TWIN CRISES IN DARFUR'S ZAM ZAM IDP CAMP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KHARTOUM 000383 DEPT FOR AF A A/S CARTER, AF/SPG, AF/C, PRM NSC FOR MGAVIN AND CHUDSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN, USAID/W DCHA SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: TWIN CRISES IN DARFUR'S ZAM ZAM IDP CAMP REF: A) KHARTOUM 318 B) KHARTOUM 313 C) KHARTOUM 311 D) KHARTOUM 306 E) KHARTOUM 299 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Over 36,000 new arrivals in Zam Zam IDP camp are living in extremely precarious conditions, with little or no access to water, food, health care, shelter, or education, according to what IDPs told CDA Fernandez and Embassy staff on a March 16 visit to Zam Zam. Several persons who arrived in the camp that morning said they were forced by Janjaweed militia out of their villages in South Darfur because of their Zaghawa tribal affiliation. Meanwhile, long-time residents of Zam Zam described the serious deterioration in services following the expulsion of several INGOs active in the camp, and highlighted the growing shortage of water. This dire humanitarian situation has been further exacerbated by the continuing influx of new arrivals, they said. All of the IDPs appealed to the USG to find a quick solution to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Zam Zam. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On the morning of March 16, CDA Fernandez and Embassy staff set out along the dusty road to the now 90,000+ person Zam Zam IDP camp, located 17 kilometers southwest of El Fasher. Traveling in the company of the acting Wali of North Darfur, Dr. Ismail Hussein Hashim (from SLM/MM),the group was escorted by several "technicals" belonging to SLM/Minni Minnawi, whose forces control the predominantly Zaghawa camp. Following a slight delay, the convoy was waived through the NISS security checkpoint and proceeded past a GOS police camp and into Zam Zam. (Note: Coincidentally, a joint UN-HAC Joint Assessment Team was entering the camp at the same time as the CDA. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) Upon arrival at Zam Zam, the CDA and USAID staff drove through established areas of the camp, past familiar thatched huts, a butcher shop, and local brick- and charcoal-making operations. They proceeded directly towards the "new" Zam Zam, hosting recently-displaced, primarily- Zaghawa IDPs from South Darfur. (Note: according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),Zam Zam has had 36,833 new arrivals during the last six to eight weeks. The IDPS come primarily from the towns of Muhajeriya, Sharia, Labado and surrounding villages in South Darfur. They fled to the camp following the seizure of the area by the GOS, in the wake of a JEM offensive and SAF bombing in January. These areas had been relatively stable under the rule of Minnawi before his forces were pushed out by JEM which was then pushed out by the Sudanese Armed Forces. The "old" section of the camp, set up in 2003 at the beginning of the mass murder in Darfur holds approximately 55,000 IDPs, increasing the population of Zam Zam to over 90,000, more than three times its intended capacity. End Note.) NEW ARRIVALS AREA IN DIRE STRAITS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The "new" section of Zam Zam camp is a sprawling, desolate area interspersed with feeble makeshift dwellings, but has little else in terms of infrastructure. A group of desperate women and children who arrived ten days prior told the CDA there was no water in the new arrivals' area. The complained "we are thirsty" and begged for plastic sheeting for shelter and blankets to protect them from the bitter desert cold at night. They stated that not all the new arrivals had access to food distribution, noting that "some managed to get food, but others did not" (WFP later confirmed that the last food distribution in Zamzam had occurred on February 28, since then thousands have streamed into the camp). They also lamented there were no health clinics in the new area, noting that the clinic in the "old" camp was quite far away. ¶5. (SBU) The CDA then proceeded to a gathering of several hundred IDP representatives, from both the new and old areas of the camp, which had assembled to address him. Representatives of the new camp went first, saying that there was a lack of services in their area. They noted there were no clinics or hospitals in the new camp, and asserted that there had been a number of deaths of children over the past several days due to diarrhea-related illnesses. They stated that many of the newcomers who arrived in the past several days had yet to receive food rations, and that the water situation was becoming increasingly precarious. They added that it took 2-3 hours to fill a jerry-can with water from the one of the few hand-pumps there. They also stated that there was a dire need for plastic sheeting for shelter, and said there where no schools in the new camp for children. Finally, they noted that the security situation in the new camp was unstable, and begged for increased protection. KHARTOUM 00000383 002 OF 004 ¶6. (SBU) The CDA then spoke with representatives from the old camp, including many who have been residents of Zam Zam for over five years. They noted that services in their area have deteriorated rapidly since the expulsion of the thirteen INGOs, with IRC and CHF having had the most tangible presence in Zam Zam. Hundreds of camp dwellers had lost their jobs with these NGOs and scarce opportunities for female literacy, nutrition, and skills for youth had been lost. They showed the forlorn, padlocked former CHF and IRC premises and expressed skepticism and distrust of local NGOs' ability to fill the gap left by the INGOS' expulsions. Long time camp residents stated that the influx of new arrivals from South Darfur had further exacerbated the shortage of services, and also drew attention to another problem involving the disputed land on which the new arrivals have settled. The land, they said, does not belong to the government, but rather to local farmers who are demanding compensation for its loss. They urged that officials immediately address the issue of compensation. SLM officials were trying to find a way to solve the problem but had no resources to do so. ¶7. (SBU) The continuous influx of new arrivals into Zam Zam was evident with the arrival earlier that morning from South Darfur of IDPS in a dual-axle lorry, overloaded with shelter materials, bedding, tables, plastic chairs and fuel drums The CDA spoke with an agitated man who had come with the truck, who described how he and 25 families were "burned out" of his village by Janjaweed militia due to their Zaghawa ethnicity. He then lifted up his jalabia to reveal scars and bruises he had received the day before from Janjaweed beatings. Others with him noted that the journey itself had been perilous, with other trucks attacked and overturned, and belongings looted. A women's representative said that women making the journey were subjected to rape and harassment by the Janjaweed. The IDPs attempt to travel by night and hide during the day. NEW LAND NEEDED FOR NEW ARRIVALS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The UN has asked repeatedly for the GOS to consider opening additional IDP sites in El Fasher in order to accommodate the 60,000+ overflow of IDPs in Zam Zam but the GOS is resisting any new IDP camps being established anywhere in Darfur. Prior to the latest waves of new arrivals, humanitarian staff noted acute concerns that the camp's precarious water supply could only support 10,000 new residents in addition to the 55,000 "old" residents. According to the Zam Zam task force members, unless the Wali of North Darfur makes a new site available, even "old" Zam Zam residents will experience a dramatic water shortage in the near future. Although the GOS officials agree that the camp is beyond capacity, they have made no move to restrict new arrivals into the camp or to provide an alternative site for the displaced. "Getting a new site is the priority," according to Alex Gregory, the OCHA Representative in North Darfur. He noted that IDPs are now starting to arrive in Zam Zam with animals, putting an additional strain on the already tenuous water situation. "It's just a matter of time before the wells run dry," he said. ONGOING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN ZAM ZAM -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Humanitarian agencies continue to work to expand the camp's inadequate supplies. On February 12, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) commenced drilling previously planned boreholes in the newly authorized portion of the camp. In total, UNICEF plans to drill a total of 20 new boreholes in Zam Zam, but to date has been able to drill only 10. The GOS Office of Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) and UNICEF continue to dig new latrines and provide hygiene information to camp residents. The newly-arrived IDPs have settled near a pre-existing borehole in a new part of the camp, authorized for use in October 2008. According to the UN, water and sanitation conditions in the newest part of the camp were very poor during the month of February, with 25 temporary latrines available for more than 3,000 people (one latrine for every 122 people.) Although UNICEF and partners continue to provide additional resources, the camp's population grows faster than partners can provide adequate resources. "We are currently reacting and not in a position to prevent [further inflows] until we can find a place for people to stay," said OCHA's Gregory. ¶10. (SBU) Another essential need in Zam Zam camp is adequate shelter and non-food item (NFI) supplies. The GOS' March 4 and 5 expulsions included Zam Zam camp's main shelter partner, CHF International. According to OCHA, CHF International had shelter kits available in El Fasher and plastic sheeting stored at the UN Joint Logistics KHARTOUM 00000383 003 OF 004 Center (UNJLC) warehouse. As of March 15, GOS security officials had refused to unlock the UNJLC warehouse or provide unrestricted access to UNJLC staff. UNJLC is currently negotiating with the government for unrestricted access to the warehouses in order to conduct an inventory and then provide appropriate distributions. (Note: Per reftels, as of March 8, the GOS had promised to relinquish control of any UN or UN-NGO managed assets seized since early March. According to OCHA, the GOS promise has not been realized on the ground in North Darfur. End Note.) Another consequence of the expulsion of CHF is the loss by IDPs of livelihood activities and the opportunity to make an income, according to those in the camp. "CHF programs helped increase our income, and now we have nothing" one IDP told CDA. ¶11. (SBU) Before its expulsion, CHF built four large "rekuba" structures for Zam Zam IDPs to provide shelter from the sun. According to OCHA staff, the rekubas can hold between 100 and 120 persons. In addition, humanitarian staff noted that most IDPs arrived with their meager personal possessions, and aid staff have already conducted three non food item distributions. Therefore, although some people are in need of NFIs, a widespread distribution is not a current priority. In addition, acting camp coordinator OCHA currently discourages a shelter kit distribution, because it would encourage newly-arrived IDPs to stay at the site and lead to a further depletion of the camp's stressed underground water resources, instead of moving to another site where they can be adequately assisted. ¶12. (SBU) Prior to March 4, Zam Zam camp had three health clinics operated respectively by Relief International (RI),the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO),and a national NGO HAD. Before its March 4 dissolution by the regime, local NGO SUDO was the sole provider of emergency health care in Zam Zam camp. With SUDO no longer operating, both RI and HAD primary health care clinics have experienced increased numbers of outpatient cases. According to OCHA, the Sudanese Ministry of Health has provided staff to assist in the camp for the next 90 days. In addition, UNICEF is constructing a health clinic in the camp's new arrivals area and has completed a measles vaccination campaign. UNICEF, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA) have donated health kits and emergency delivery kits. ¶13. (SBU) Humanitarian partners continue to monitor the camp residents' access to adequate food and nutrition services. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP),the regular caseload (residents in the "old" section of the camp) is in the process of receiving their one month ration. WFP also provided an emergency, one-month ration to 15,000 individuals in the camp's "new" section on February 25 and 28. In addition, RI and UNICEF continue to screen new arrivals for malnutrition, and RI provides therapeutic and supplementary feeding programs and services to Zam Zam camp residents. According to OCHA, WFP plans to conduct an additional distribution in the camp, but for now those who have received distributions are sharing what little they have with those that have not. IOM is conducting the registration for the new IDPs. ¶14. (SBU) Comment: The sheer number of residents at Zam Zam and the arrival of 36,000 additional IDPs are cause for immediate concern. The deterioration of essential services following the INGO expulsion elevates such concern to unprecedented levels. This is the first Darfur IDP crisis since the March 4 mass NGO expulsions (although the IDPs began moving in February) and humanitarian agencies are barely coping. The influx of new arrivals in Zam Zam camp was caused directly by the Sudanese government's callous and irresponsible actions: first its response to JEM's January 2009 invasion of South Darfur (when SAF moved to take over all formerly SLM/MM locations in South Darfur and began pushing out the IDP Zaghawa populations while championing other African tribes like the Birged and Mima); second its expulsion of INGOs; third its targeting of Zaghawa populations in areas not only in South Darfur but also in Wadaa (North Darfur). At a time when competent and locally-trusted INGOs are desperately needed in areas like Zam Zam, the government's continued rhetoric has many of INGOS, which have not been expelled, questioning whether the humanitarian imperative is enough to keep them in Darfur. What we see now in Darfur is a crisis in slow motion. We are already seeing its impact most dramatically in Zam Zam camp. In the coming weeks the humanitarian situation there and elsewhere could become increasingly more urgent. ¶15. (SBU) Comment Cont.: In seeking solutions to the impending crisis, it is important to maintain a practical focus on humanitarian needs and how best to address them through the UN and remaining NGOs - and even the GOS (using SLM officials who are deeply concerned about their fellow Zaghawa in Zam Zam camp could be an option). Discussing these matters with the regime may be KHARTOUM 00000383 004 OF 004 facilitated by the increasingly serious impact of INGO expulsions on the humanitarian situations in both Darfur and the Three Areas. The regime is now slightly "cooling down" its anti-U.S. and anti-Western rhetoric following the ICC indictment. As we have reported, the regime does not want to "commit suicide" over the ICC issue, and we expect that in the coming weeks NCP officials could be more willing to engage with us. Embassy Khartoum recommends an immediate statement about the situation in Zam Zam and other camps (text provided to AF/SPG). We also suggest quiet but forceful demarches to the Sudanese government and the UN about how to ensure that IDPs are receiving water and food in the short term, and to warn the regime about the targeting of Zaghawa, while the longer-term delivery options are negotiated (both the GOS and many other tribes in Darfur - both African and Arab - fear the aggressive Zaghawa, who make up the backbone of most rebel movements in Darfur). We strongly recommend additional pressure be applied on the UN to act now, before it is too late, to ensure that urgent IDP needs are addressed and that Zam Zam's worrying situation is addressed before a crisis becomes a catastrophe. Many UN agencies are doing heroic work in Darfur (and even in Zam Zam) although UNAMID generally remains passive. But the ultimate responsibility is the regime's - should the situation there deteriorate further, it will be because Khartoum allowed it. As long as the regime continues to issue the CDA and Mission officers travel permits, we will make visits to IDP camps in Darfur as often as possible to closely monitor the situation there. FERNANDEZ