South Darfur suffers from increasing numbers of orphans
May 29, 2015 (NYALA) – Aid groups in South Darfur state have warned against increasing numbers of orphans and displaced persons due to tribal conflicts and the ongoing war between the government army and the rebel groups since 2003.
SRD secretary general, Amir Hussein Abdel-Rigal, said they aim to increase the number to reach 10,000 adopted orphans by the end of the year, noting his group continued to offer other services including drinking water projects and building of mosques.
He pointed out that they provide services in various Sudanese states, adding that orphans festival is being launched for the first time in South Darfur.
Abdel-Rigal said they also launched the “Million Subscriber” initiative to support orphans across the country, pointing that subscribers only contribute a monthly donation of one Sudanese pound (SDG).
He called for renouncing tribal violence in Darfur in order to reduce the number of orphans in the restive region, saying that tribal fighting is the major source of orphanhood in South Darfur.
“We want Darfur to enjoy stability, peace and prosperity instead of tribal conflicts and fighting which [are the main cause] for the existence of vast numbers of orphans,” he added.
The humanitarian aid commissioner in South Darfur, Jamal Yousif, for his part, praised efforts of the SRD, pointing the great confidence won by the latter from the donors would enable it to provide valuable services for the orphans.
A source within the social welfare ministry in South Darfur told Sudan Tribune that the state was unable to determine the total number of orphans due to limited financial resources, saying that tribal fighting and the armed struggle are the main causes responsible for existence of thousands of orphans.
The same source pointed that a preliminary study showed that the state is a home for more than 4,000 orphans, stressing that numbers of the homeless is constantly growing which requires finding solutions to prevent further exacerbation of the situation.
The government forces conducted a brutal counter-insurgency campaign following the start of a rebellion in Darfur 2003.
UN agencies estimate as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million were displaced.
Also tribal fighting has intensified in four of Darfur’s five states during the past two years leading to thousands of deaths and injuries and forcing over 300,000 people to flee their homes.
(ST)