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Arab organizations unlike western ones had no presence inside the displaced camps. (Photo by Reuters) |
The Muslim and Arab humanitarian organizations have been nearly absent from the relief work in Darfur's camps of the displaced for a period of more than four years. During that period, such a void was filled by foreign organizations. These organizations have played their role and managed to win the hearts of the displaced people. There have been complaints from the displaced people about the scarce presence of Arab humanitarian organizations.
Recently, however, a conference was held in Khartoum to discuss the possibilities of improving the humanitarian situation in the state of Darfur. At this conference, the Arab donors pledged to provide 250 million dollars of aids to the state for the reconstruction of the villages destroyed by the war.
| Foreign organizations gained wide approbation among the displaced because the foreigners did not leave the displaced for a moment during the crisis. |
Returning to Work
By the end of the conference's proceedings, the conferees were divided into three groups and headed to Darfur. A delegation of 50 persons from governmental and nongovernmental Arab organizations arrived the war-torn state. The delegation was led by Dr. Salah Halimah, advisor of the Arab League secretary-general. Also, the delegation had a number of eminent members, such as the Moroccan ambassador, former Kuwaiti minister of endowments, and a minister of state in the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs.
The delegates visited the camps of the displaced in the outskirts of the state and assessed the humanitarian situation on the ground. They listened to a number of displaced people as they voiced their necessary needs, of which their need to return to their villages.
The first of its kind, this visit comes after the crisis has aggravated and shortly before the arrival of the hybrid peacekeeping force. Some nationals support the idea of the hybrid force, while others are opposed to it. Moreover, this idea is totally supported by the displaced people, who say that the foreigners stood beside them throughout the crisis.
| The intense presence of Western organizations at the camps has had an negative impact on the Islamic and Arabic culture of the displaced people in Darfur. |
Foreigners More Supportive
One of the displaced people explained that the foreign organizations gained wide approbation among the displaced because they did not leave them for a moment during the crisis. They provided food, medical treatment, and other aids. This, however, was not the case with the Arab organizations, which were not present inside the camps. This person also indicated that the children of the camps have come to imitate the way foreigners act.
In this regard, Mr. Ali Mahmoud, governor of the southern Darfur district, said that the intense presence of Western organizations inside the camps has had a negative impact on the Islamic and Arabic culture of the Darfuri displaced people. He pointed out that there are 49 foreign organizations working at the displacement camps in southern Darfur, including 12 UN agencies, 28 Western organizations, 5 Muslim and Arab organizations, and 4 diplomatic missions. Thus, the conduct of the citizens was greatly influenced by the intense presence of foreigners.
| "From now on, the Arab organizations will be present in the state of Darfur permanently and effectively," said the advisor of the Arab League secretary-general. |
New Start
In the same context, Dr. Halimah said,
"After we have become acquainted with the humanitarian situation on the ground and listened to what the displaced people had to say, we want to direct our message to the entire world that the Arab joint work now has a new start. Through this cooperation, the nongovernmental organizations can play an unprecedented role to assure the Western World that, from now on, the Arab organizations will be present in the state of Darfur permanently and effectively. These organizations can play a significant role that surpasses that played by the Western countries."
He also addressed a message to those carrying arms and called upon them to come to the negotiating table. He vehemently denounced the attempt to kidnap the Sudanese and Chadian children and voiced his regret for such a heinous crime whose perpetrators belong to an organization from a country that defends the human rights. He called for bringing the perpetrators to justice for a deterrent punishment.
Pertinently, Moroccan minister of state Ahmad Al-Kharif donated US$500,000 to the medical services at the new displacement camp of Sakla. This camp was built for the displaced people who fled the Kalima camp after a conflict between some tribal groups in the area. In addition, the International Health Institute volunteered a donation for establishing an integrated health center for the displaced.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah Al-Hazza`, secretary-general of the Organization of Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross, called for the rearrangement of the efforts of humanitarian relief work in Darfur, pointing out that there are developmental projects that need to be implemented. He also stressed the importance of Arab donations and their presence on the ground in Darfur through developmental projects. He called for a unification of the Arab political and developmental efforts to solve the crisis in Darfur. He denied the Arabs were late in supporting the Darfuris during the crisis.
The delegation's visit to the camps of the displaced has left a good impression among the inhabitants. The attention paid by the Arab delegates has given hope to the children, women, and men, who requested that such visits continue. Dr. Halimah promised that there will be more future visits.
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