Following the series of attacks by armed militias in south Darfur, an estimated 55,000 people fled, leaving most of their belongings behind.

|PIC1|The attacks caused Christian Aid partners, the Sudan Development Association (SUDO) and the Sudanese Council of Churches (SCC) to abandon their schools and health centres in the camps in Mershing in the region. Currently, the two organisations are providing blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans and are ensuring that people have access to water and sanitation facilities to prevent the outbreak of disease.

Since the series of attacks started on the 23 January 2006 in Shaway Malmul camp, four more camps were attacked outside of Mershing, causing terror amongst the displaced people living in the camps.

Although the African Union (AU) patrols visited Mershing twice following the attacks and promised to send forces at 5pm on 25 January 2006, the forces did not arrive, causing the people to flee, according to Christian Aid.

Meanwhile, the refugees are making their way to Manawashi town, south of Mershing, in the midst of exposure to soaring heat in the day and cold weather at night. Families are being divided, and according to ACT-Caritas, 38 women have suffered miscarriages, and 13 children have died in the past week.

Christian Aid, through ACT-Caritas, is supporting partners working in the region.

|AD|The situation deteriorates as relations between the local people and the police remain tense, following the ambush of six police two weeks ago and the recent attacks. The Sudanese authorities have agreed to withdraw the existing police force and have suggested there could be a joint patrol between the police and the African Union forces within a week. Local observers say this timescale seems highly optimistic.

In other news, Christian Aid has criticised the current level of protection for civilians in Darfur fleeing from war, as well as the ongoing debate over whether the United Nations or African Union (AU) should control the peacekeeping operation.

According to BBC reports, around 100 aid workers have been forced to flee the region of Darfur where rebels continue to fight for control of Golo, a government-held town in the west of the region.

As the situation continues to degenerate, aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to help the more than two million people who have fled their homes from the ongoing violence.

“This discussion is immaterial,” said Stephanie Brigden, of Christian Aid’s Africa policy team.

“The question ought not be who will protect the people of Darfur, but how? We need a proper mandate that gives greater emphasis on protecting civilians – not a mandate that concentrates on documenting breeches of a fast-failing ceasefire.

“The mission must also be better resourced, logistically, financially and with more troops, to implement a proper protection mandate.”