UN has a very strong presence in conflict zone of Darfur, Sudan. UN’s World Food Program (WFP) is carrying out one of the largest food aid operation; United Nations-African Missions Joint Peacekeeping Force (UNAMID) has been trying to protect people for almost five years. Yet, hundreds and thousands of people have died due to continuing conflicts and thousands in the relief camps are suffering. What exactly ails UN in Darfur?

First of all, it has been impossible to initiate the peace process between non-Arab rebels and pro-Arab Sudanese government (which has militia support). Between these, the life of people of Darfur stands totally displaced and destroyed. Darfur has access to UN peace-keeping force and WFP but the condition in camps set up for the victims of conflicts and displaced is shocking. Camps are overcrowded and regularly attacked by rebels and dacoits in search of food and more recruits. Instead of 2,000 calories per day, people are being forced to survive on 1,400 calories due to ration-cuts. Malnourished children with big bellies are common sight at the ZIM ZAM camp sheltering nearly 62,000 people just outside Darfur. Surplus food products are available in Darfur markets but prices are too high due to rising inflation. These markets cater mainly to UN personnel, militia and the rich and unaffected.

What mainly ails UN’s operation is lack of troops, funds and proper logistics of the relief operation. They are unable to provide protection to its own personnel, food stocks and people in the camps. WFP has been forced to cut rations. Instead of much needed and available 1,800 metric tons of food, it is able to distribute only 900 metric tons. Why? It is difficult to airlift large food stocks due to lack of funding and transportation by trucks is difficult because of bad roads and rebel attacks on food convoys. They are unable to protect food convoys because UNAMID has to manage with 9,000 troops instead of allotted 26,000 troops. Sudanese government and UN agreement insist that troops should come from African countries only. This diplomatic and bureaucratic issue is unlikely to be resolved soon.

Since 2003, conflicts have left nearly 2 lakh people dead and more than 2.5 m people homeless. Hundreds of women and girls have been abused and raped. Just strong UN presence in the form of peacekeeping force, International Aid agency, WFP is not enough to heal scars of Darfur. Root cause of the problem needs to be addressed urgently. Rebel attacks and conflicts must stop. Peace process must begin. More troops should be deployed unconditionally. Food rations should not be cut. UN must operate in full capacity or else UN will fail in its own mission.

source: reuters