John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), visited on Wednesday a camp for internally displaced persons in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.
At Kalma Camp, in Nyala, home to around 88,000 internally displaced persons, constituting one of the largest IDPs (refugee) camps in South Darfur, the UN humanitarian held a meeting with the sheikhs and representatives of the IDPs.
Holmes ERC assured them of continued humanitarian support and listened to their concerns, including the incident on August 25, when thirty-three IDPs were killed and 108 wounded after security forces surrounded Kalma camp.
"The number one priority is security. UNAMID police are now patrolling the camp on a round the clock basis, which has helped people to feel safer," said Holmes.
"But we still need to do more, not least to ensure women can feel safe as they move in and out of the camp," he added.
For their part, the sheikhs appreciated the work of aid organizations and the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), but called for reinforced protection.
In meetings with UN agencies and NGOs, aid workers voiced their continued concern about security incidents, including increasingly frequent car-jackings and break-ins, and a challenging work environment stemming from bureaucratic and other obstacles, particularly in sensitive areas related to protection of civilians.
Holmes also toured part of the camp and witnessed the work of aid organizations on the ground.
He met with primary school children and visited a women's handicraft project, where women expressed their need for more opportunities to establish longer term livelihood prospects, and adult literacy classes.
Holmes arrived in Sudan on Tuesday for a-six-day visit in this African country.
(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2008)
