Lawlessness, terror, rapes, poor, unhealthy living conditions and now, malnutrition is what we can see the people of Darfur, suffering and struggling with. It was invincible, no doubts but nothing was done to avert it. Why? Such questions remain unasked, unanswered and untold. Darfur, a region that has survived the turbulent times and still is, but nothing is left actually except a few lives, about which no one seems to be concerned. As per official reports, since 2003 more than 200,000 have been killed and more than 2.5 millions have evacuated, leave the uncounted, unofficial dead.
UN did send its forces to maintain ‘badly wanted’ peace but was that enough? The forces have been able to maintain the silence but not peace. Lawlessness is at its epitome and the silence screams...is anyone listening? Rapes, molestations continue, seen but hardly objected. Women and girls are treated as mere commodities and they have become slaves of ‘wolves’ who fulfill their hunger for sex with them. From the last four years, Darfur has been witnessing bloodshed, starvation, diseases and deaths. The Sudanese government has failed badly in providing for anything. As a consequence of the prolonged clash, increasing tensions and complete chaotic state of affairs, Darfur stands above all in bad and drastic need of humanitarian assistance with its 4 million people surviving on it.
Not only this, the situation worsens as the NGO’s and other people working their have also been targeted making them as insecure as any other Darfurian. The violence against them has seen an increase. Migrations are also being observed and why not, the people are not left with any other options. The U.N.’s deputy humanitarian chief, Assistant Secretary-General Margareta Wahlstrom quoted,
The humanitarian situation in the last few months has become more critical in many parts of Darfur. This is the first time we see the potential for a deterioration which we are very worried. We put this in the context of the very unstable situation in the area. A credible cease-fire and controlling the lawlessness in Darfur are really the two bottom lines that need to be sustained. Without this, to expect that people will return safely and voluntarily to their original locations is not a very realistic proposition. Our message is we have to sustain the humanitarian operations well into 2008 before ... people will feel secure enough in their locations to engage with some long-term (development) efforts.
She said that she will also like Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take up the issue with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is on a visit next week. However, the government cannot be termed clean too, as it has been accused of hitting back at the African rebels by forming a militia of Arab nomads, the group being called as the ‘janjaweed’. However, the government denies any such felony. Wahlstrom also said that the U.N. agencies will continue to provide a breakthrough to the situation. Within such conditions, it’s ironical but life is thriving itself however, death can be seen victorious. Malnutrition is the leading factor causing most of the infant deaths. It has been increasing and there is no ray of hope, not a single way in sight that might lead to an end of this hopeless journey, no one answer that can bring a full stop. They are surviving against hope in a hopeless time!
Source: USAtoday
Image credit: Johnfenzel
