Books by John Prendergast
Dispatches from Darfur: The Situation is Quickly Worsening
Our sources on the ground in Darfur—in the regional capitals of Al Fasher and El Geneina and in a number of camps for internally displaced Darfuris—are telling us that the situation is getting worse each day for the people who the Sudanese government has denied lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
Through recent phone conversations with people in ZamZam camp in North Darfur, we learned that the sewage system in the camp has been cut off, and people are now forced to relieve themselves wherever they can in the crowded camp or risk leaving relative safety. Clean water in camps like ZamZam is becoming increasingly scarce, a problem that stands to worsen as the temperatures in the arid Sahelian desert during the “hot season” of April and May spike to over 110 degrees F.
President Bashir’s decision to expel 16 international and Sudanese humanitarian organizations following the issuance of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him is having the effect he intended: it is hurting the people of Darfur, and this harm is happening under the radar. In expelling these humanitarian agencies, the Sudanese government has also shut down a crucial source of information and monitoring of the crisis. Today, media coverage and humanitarian information from Darfur can hardly reflect the gravity of the worsening situation.
Maggie Fick contributed to this post.
Dear Omer Ismail,
An impartial and professional assessment of a humanitarian situation does not rely on phone conversations rather than the objective tools and scientific approaches. It will be harder for me to seriously consider what you tell about a situation if it is merely based on a phone conversation. This approach will only work if you take it for granted that no one is in disagreement with you. For ENOUGH PROJECT to be credible, persuasive and purpose-free, objective and investigative approach rather than personal impressions should be pursued regarding the humanitarian situation in Darfur.
Abdallah Khalil