Wikipedia

Zamzam Refugee Camp

The Zamzam refugee camp is one of the largest internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Sudan, located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Al-Fashir, North Darfur. It was established in 2004 to accommodate the massive influx of people displaced by the war in Darfur. As of now, the camp houses approximately 500,000 displaced individuals.[1] In the light of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), the camp is currently facing severe humanitarian challenges, including a catastrophic malnutrition crisis.[2] Conditions have deteriorated to the point where famine-like situations have emerged, with reports of high child mortality rates, and experts describe the crisis as man-made and preventable.[3][4]

Zamzam Refugee Camp
معسكر زمزم للنازحين
Refugee camp
Zamzam Refugee Camp is located in Sudan
Zamzam Refugee Camp
Location in Sudan (North Darfur state highlighted)
Coordinates: 13°29′18.68″N 25°18′38.4″E / 13.4885222°N 25.310667°E / 13.4885222; 25.310667
Country Sudan
State North Darfur
Founded2004
Population
 (2024)
 • Total
>500,000
Time zoneUTC+2 (Central Africa Time)

Establishments

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The Zamzam refugee camp was established in 2004, situated approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, to accommodate the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing violence and persecution during the Darfur conflict, which erupted in 2003.[5] The conflict involved various armed groups, including the Sudanese government and Janjaweed militias, leading to widespread atrocities against civilians, including ethnic cleansing and mass killings. The United Nations estimates that over 2.5 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, with Zamzam being one of the significant camps providing refuge to these vulnerable populations.[6][7] The camp has grown significantly over the years, with estimates suggesting that it houses tens of thousands of residents, primarily from the Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit ethnic groups.[8][5]

Humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), provide essential services. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, as the camp's overcrowded conditions make it difficult to implement effective health measures, increasing the risk of outbreaks.[9] The Zamzam camp has a high rates of malnutrition, communicable diseases, and maternal and child mortality among the camp's population compared to the general Sudanese population.[10][11] Moreover, many individuals experience trauma, anxiety, and depression, which are often exacerbated as mental health services are scarce, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues further complicates access to care.[11][12]

In Zamzam camp, many families depend on external assistance as employment opportunities are limited, and the camp's economy is largely informal, characterised by small-scale trade and subsistence agriculture.[13][14] Initiatives aimed at improving education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities are being implemented, albeit on a limited scale.[15][16]

Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

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The ongoing civil war in Sudan has severely impacted Zamzam Refugee Camp, pushing it into famine conditions.[3][17][18] The conflict, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to significant displacement, with the camp’s population swelling to around 500,000 people, with a significant portion being women and children.[1][3]

The situation in Zamzam is dire, with high rates of malnutrition and mortality, particularly among children. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported alarming levels of acute malnutrition and a high number of child deaths, with at least one child dying every 2 hours.[19][20] The camp’s residents face severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.[21][2] Restrictions and blockades have hindered the delivery of essential aid, exacerbating the crisis.[3][17]

In August 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC) concluded that famine conditions are prevalent in parts of North Darfur, including the camp.[22] In the same month, the SAF also bombed and killed children in the famine-hit camp in El Fasher.[23]

Sexual violence and rape cases also skyrocketed amidst the ceasefire, especially in Zamzam refugee camp.[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Staff accounts: Siege and bombardment of Sudan's El Fasher pushes children, adults to the limits of survival". NRC. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  2. ^ a b "Sudan: famine in Zamzam refugee camp, Unicef and WFP alert for 755 thousand people". Agenzianova. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sudan war: Zamzam camp near el-Fasher pushed into famine - experts". BBC News. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  4. ^ "Sudan: Famine in Zamzam camp is 'man-made and 100% preventable', experts say". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  5. ^ a b Enumah, Zachary Obinna; Rafiq, Mohamed Yunus; Rhee, Daniel; Manyama, Frank; Ngude, Hilary; Stevens, Kent; Juma, Omar; Sakran, Joseph V. (2022-09-01). "Prevalence of pediatric surgical problems among east African refugees: estimates from a cross-sectional survey using random cluster sampling". BMC Pediatrics. 22 (1): 518. doi:10.1186/s12887-022-03576-9. ISSN 1471-2431. PMC 9434863. PMID 36050745.
  6. ^ Kamal, Abu-Hena Mostofa; Huda, Dr Md. Nazmul; Dell, Dr Colleen Anne; Hossain, Dr Syeda Zakia; Ahmed, Shuheli Shaila (2020-08-24). "Translational Strategies to Control and Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in the Rohiynga Refugee Camps in Bangladesh". Global Biosecurity. 1 (4). doi:10.31646/gbio.77. ISSN 2652-0036.
  7. ^ Amsalu, Ribka; Costello, Jean; Hasna, Zainul; Handzel, Endang (April 2022). "Estimating stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, September 2017 to December 2018: a prospective surveillance". BMJ Global Health. 7 (4): e008110. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008110. ISSN 2059-7908. PMC 9024274. PMID 35443939.
  8. ^ Owen, Michael; Kruczkiewicz, Andrew; Van Den Hoek, Jamon (2023-05-09). "Indexing climatic and environmental exposure of refugee camps with a case study in East Africa". Scientific Reports. 13 (1): 7533. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-31140-7. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10170149. PMID 37160963.
  9. ^ Abushaikha, Ismail; Wu, Zhaohui; Khoury, Theodore A. (October 2021). "Towards a theory of informal supply networks: An exploratory case study of the Za'atari refugee camp". Journal of Operations Management. 67 (7): 853–881. doi:10.1002/joom.1151. ISSN 0272-6963.
  10. ^ Ikanda, Fred Nyongesa (August 2018). "Animating 'refugeeness' through vulnerabilities: worthiness of long-term exile in resettlement claims among Somali refugees in Kenya". Africa. 88 (3): 579–596. doi:10.1017/S0001972018000232. ISSN 0001-9720.
  11. ^ a b de Carvalho, Cátia; Pinto, Marta (August 2018). "Refugee camp as an immediate solution: Response and its psychological meanings". Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology. 24 (3): 277–282. doi:10.1037/pac0000318. ISSN 1532-7949.
  12. ^ Emberson, R. A.; Kirschbaum, D. B.; Stanley, T. (February 2021). "Landslide Hazard and Exposure Modelling in Data-Poor Regions: The Example of the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh". Earth's Future. 9 (2). doi:10.1029/2020EF001666. hdl:11603/26086. ISSN 2328-4277.
  13. ^ Polonsky, Jonathan A; Ronsse, Axelle; Ciglenecki, Iza; Rull, Monica; Porten, Klaudia (December 2013). "High levels of mortality, malnutrition, and measles, among recently-displaced Somali refugees in Dagahaley camp, Dadaab refugee camp complex, Kenya, 2011". Conflict and Health. 7 (1): 1. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-7-1. ISSN 1752-1505. PMC 3607918. PMID 23339463.
  14. ^ Rapaport, Sarah; Enumah, Zachary Obinna; Ngude, Hilary; Rhee, Daniel S; Abbas, Mohamed; Lekey, Amber; Winch, Peter J; Sakran, Joseph V; Stevens, Kent A (June 2023). "Patterns, procedures, and indications for pediatric surgery in a Tanzanian Refugee Camp: a 20-year experience". World Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 6 (3): e000528. doi:10.1136/wjps-2022-000528. ISSN 2516-5410. PMC 10314687. PMID 37396496.
  15. ^ Gabiam, Nell (March 2012). "When "Humanitarianism" Becomes "Development": The Politics of International Aid in Syria's Palestinian Refugee Camps". American Anthropologist. 114 (1): 95–107. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1433.2011.01399.x. ISSN 0002-7294. PMID 22662356.
  16. ^ Altare, Chiara; Kahi, Vincent; Ngwa, Moise; Goldsmith, Amelia; Hering, Heiko; Burton, Ann; Spiegel, Paul (2019-10-22). "Infectious disease epidemics in refugee camps: a retrospective analysis of UNHCR data (2009-2017)". Journal of Global Health Reports. 3. doi:10.29392/joghr.3.e2019064. ISSN 2399-1623.
  17. ^ a b "Famine confirmed in Sudan's North Darfur, confirming UN agencies worst fears | World Food Programme". www.wfp.org. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  18. ^ "Refugees flood into Darfur camp after fighting". NBC News. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  19. ^ "Sudan war: 500 days of a failing humanitarian response as medical needs soar | Doctors Without Borders - USA". www.doctorswithoutborders.org. August 27, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  20. ^ زكريا, محمد. "الجزيرة نت تنقل روايات عن المجاعة بمخيم زمزم في دارفور". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  21. ^ "SUDAN: Alarming situation in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, MSF calls for urgent mobilisation of the international community". epicentre.msf.org. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  22. ^ "FAMINE IN SUDAN: IPC Famine Review Committee Confirms Famine Conditions in parts of North Darfur | IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification". www.ipcinfo.org. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  23. ^ "Sudan army bombs Darfur camp days after famine declaration". Sudan Tribune. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  24. ^ Sarah (28 June 2023). "Zamzam Camp residents report 'terror' over the outbreak of war in Sudan". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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