New Shelters for Displaced Families in Darfur
EL GENEINA, West Darfur, Sudan — As rains started to fall in Darfur this June, Mariam Abdalla Bakir's family was living in a shelter made of sticks right in the path of seasonal floods. Now with Catholic Relief Services' assistance, she has moved into a new temporary shelter with her four children and husband. While still displaced, her family at least has a safe, dry place that they can call home until security allows them return to their village.
Mariam Abdalla Bakir and her family appreciate the privacy and comfort of their new home in Ardamata camp, West Darfur, built with the assistance of CRS.
"I can now sleep comfortably without worry of the rains or scorching sun," Mariam explains. "I enjoy a good environment and more freedom on my own plot."
In December 2006, about 1,250 families fled their villages after attacks in the Sirba area of the state of West Darfur — a fraction of the 2.2 million people now displaced by the Darfur conflict. Five hundred of these families traveled 15 miles south to the village of Tanjeke, while the remaining 750 continued on until they reached Ardamata camp on the outskirts of El Geneina 18 miles later. Crowded conditions forced these 750 families to build makeshift shelters in the middle of a flood zone on the edge of the camp, putting them at risk when the rainy season set in.
Fortunately, CRS was able to coordinate with the Sudan government and other agencies to construct new shelters for these families before the flood waters rose. In late June, CRS constructed 500 shelters for the families in Tanjeke and finished another 500 in Ardamata camp in late July. Staff is now constructing an additional 250 shelters to accommodate the remaining families in Ardamata, with all shelters constructed with help from the beneficiaries and funding from the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).
"Ardamata camp hosts almost 26,000 of the more than 115,000 displaced people now living in the El Geneina area," notes Samuel Kaiyani, CRS' shelter program manager in West Darfur. "Finding appropriate plots of land to shelter the new arrivals from Sirba was challenging, but by coordinating closely with the Sudanese government, other aid agencies and existing camp residents, we identified good locations and started building the shelters."
Creating the Feel of Village Life
Ardamata camp is designed to resemble village life. Though individual plots are small and close to one another, stick fences clearly demark each family's living area. Schools, sanitation facilities and water pumps serve as gathering points for community members.
New shelters constructed by CRS in Ardamata camp protect displaced families in West Darfur from heavy seasonal rains.
Interagency cooperation and support from the Sudanese government resulted in a similarly planned layout for the Ardamata camp extension, which was designed in consultation with the displaced families. The new residents, who were previously living in crowded, unsanitary conditions, now have their own living space and access to clean water and toilet facilities. The government also set aside space for a school, market and mosque.
In addition to building the temporary shelters, CRS is planting trees throughout the extension and is providing each family with materials to construct a temporary toilet for individual household use. The 750 families are also receiving basic household items, as many displaced people often arrive with just the clothes on their backs. CRS is distributing two mosquito nets, a bucket, a kitchen set and 10 bars of soap to each family, funded by the United Nations. Each family will also receive a plastic roofing sheet, three sleeping mats, three blankets, two water cans and two sets of women's clothing, funded by OFDA and being distributed by Terre des Hommes, the agency managing Ardamata camp.
"Working together, we are helping to improve these families' living standards and meet their basic needs while the conflict continues," Samuel explains.
CRS has also built three temporary classrooms and is supporting four volunteer teachers to allow 250 children now living in the Ardamata camp extension to continue with their education. These latest activities further CRS' extensive education initiatives in West Darfur, which include construction of more than 230 permanent and temporary classrooms, and training and support for more than 80 volunteers to accommodate the growing number of students in El Geneina and surrounding communities.
"Now that these families no longer have to worry about shelter, they are able to focus on finding ways to earn a living in their new community," Samuel adds. "Life is far from easy, but when you walk through Ardamata camp you find children playing, women sweeping their plots and community meetings being convened. When I see so many faces beaming with relief and appreciation, the months of hard work and negotiation are quickly forgotten."
