Zamzam Refugee Camp Explained

Native Name:معسكر زمزم للنازحين
Native Name Lang:ar
Settlement Type:Refugee camp
Pushpin Map:Sudan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Sudan (North Darfur state highlighted)
Pushpin Image:North Darfur in Sudan.svg
Coordinates:13.4885°N 25.3107°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1: North Darfur
Subdivision Type2:Founded
Subdivision Name2:2004
Population Total:>500,000
Population As Of:2024
Timezone1:Central Africa Time
Utc Offset1:+2

The Zamzam refugee camp is one of the largest internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Sudan, located south of Al-Fashir, North Darfur. It was established in 2004 to accommodate the massive influx of people displaced by the war in Darfur. As of now, the camp houses approximately 500,000 displaced individuals.[1] In the light of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), the camp is currently facing severe humanitarian challenges, including a catastrophic malnutrition crisis.[2] Conditions have deteriorated to the point where famine-like situations have emerged, with reports of high child mortality rates, and experts describe the crisis as man-made and preventable.[3] [4]

Establishments

The Zamzam refugee camp was established in 2004, situated approximately from the city of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, to accommodate the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing violence and persecution during the Darfur conflict, which erupted in 2003.[5] The conflict involved various armed groups, including the Sudanese government and Janjaweed militias, leading to widespread atrocities against civilians, including ethnic cleansing and mass killings. The United Nations estimates that over 2.5 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, with Zamzam being one of the significant camps providing refuge to these vulnerable populations.[6] [7] The camp has grown significantly over the years, with estimates suggesting that it houses tens of thousands of residents, primarily from the Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit ethnic groups.[8]

Humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), provide essential services. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, as the camp's overcrowded conditions make it difficult to implement effective health measures, increasing the risk of outbreaks.[9] The Zamzam camp has a high rates of malnutrition, communicable diseases, and maternal and child mortality among the camp's population compared to the general Sudanese population.[10] [11] Moreover, many individuals experience trauma, anxiety, and depression, which are often exacerbated as mental health services are scarce, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues further complicates access to care.[12]

In Zamzam camp, many families depend on external assistance as employment opportunities are limited, and the camp's economy is largely informal, characterised by small-scale trade and subsistence agriculture.[13] [14] Initiatives aimed at improving education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities are being implemented, albeit on a limited scale.[15] [16]

Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has severely impacted Zamzam Refugee Camp, pushing it into famine conditions.[17] [18] The conflict, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to significant displacement, with the camp’s population swelling to around 500,000 people, with a significant portion being women and children.

The situation in Zamzam is dire, with high rates of malnutrition and mortality, particularly among children. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported alarming levels of acute malnutrition and a high number of child deaths, with at least one child dying every 2 hours.[19] [20] The camp’s residents face severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.[21] Restrictions and blockades have hindered the delivery of essential aid, exacerbating the crisis.

In August 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC) concluded that famine conditions are prevalent in parts of North Darfur, including the camp.[22] In the same month, the SAF also bombed and killed children in the famine-hit the camp in El Fasher.[23]

Sexual violence and rape cases also skyrocketed amidst the ceasefire, especially in Zamzam refugee camp.[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Staff accounts: Siege and bombardment of Sudan's El Fasher pushes children, adults to the limits of survival . 2024-10-16 . NRC . en.
  2. Web site: Sudan: famine in Zamzam refugee camp, Unicef and WFP alert for 755 thousand people . 2024-10-16 . Agenzianova.
  3. Web site: 2024-08-01 . Sudan war: Zamzam camp near el-Fasher pushed into famine - experts . 2024-10-16 . BBC News . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Sudan: Famine in Zamzam camp is 'man-made and 100% preventable', experts say . 2024-10-16 . Sky News . en.
  5. Enumah . Zachary Obinna . Rafiq . Mohamed Yunus . Rhee . Daniel . Manyama . Frank . Ngude . Hilary . Stevens . Kent . Juma . Omar . Sakran . Joseph V. . 2022-09-01 . Prevalence of pediatric surgical problems among east African refugees: estimates from a cross-sectional survey using random cluster sampling . BMC Pediatrics . en . 22 . 1 . 518 . 10.1186/s12887-022-03576-9 . free . 1471-2431 . 9434863 . 36050745.
  6. Kamal . Abu-Hena Mostofa . Huda . Dr Md. Nazmul . Dell . Dr Colleen Anne . Hossain . Dr Syeda Zakia . Ahmed . Shuheli Shaila . 2020-08-24 . Translational Strategies to Control and Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in the Rohiynga Refugee Camps in Bangladesh . Global Biosecurity . 1 . 4 . 10.31646/gbio.77 . 2652-0036.
  7. Amsalu . Ribka . Costello . Jean . Hasna . Zainul . Handzel . Endang . April 2022 . Estimating stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, September 2017 to December 2018: a prospective surveillance . BMJ Global Health . en . 7 . 4 . e008110 . 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008110 . 2059-7908 . 9024274 . 35443939.
  8. Owen . Michael . Kruczkiewicz . Andrew . Van Den Hoek . Jamon . 2023-05-09 . Indexing climatic and environmental exposure of refugee camps with a case study in East Africa . Scientific Reports . en . 13 . 1 . 7533 . 10.1038/s41598-023-31140-7 . 2045-2322 . 10170149 . 37160963.
  9. Abushaikha . Ismail . Wu . Zhaohui . Khoury . Theodore A. . October 2021 . Towards a theory of informal supply networks: An exploratory case study of the Za'atari refugee camp . Journal of Operations Management . en . 67 . 7 . 853–881 . 10.1002/joom.1151 . 0272-6963.
  10. Ikanda . Fred Nyongesa . August 2018 . Animating 'refugeeness' through vulnerabilities: worthiness of long-term exile in resettlement claims among Somali refugees in Kenya . Africa . en . 88 . 3 . 579–596 . 10.1017/S0001972018000232 . 0001-9720.
  11. de Carvalho . Cátia . Pinto . Marta . August 2018 . Refugee camp as an immediate solution: Response and its psychological meanings. . Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology . en . 24 . 3 . 277–282 . 10.1037/pac0000318 . 1532-7949.
  12. Emberson . R. A. . Kirschbaum . D. B. . Stanley . T. . February 2021 . Landslide Hazard and Exposure Modelling in Data-Poor Regions: The Example of the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh . Earth's Future . en . 9 . 2 . 10.1029/2020EF001666 . 11603/26086 . 2328-4277. free .
  13. Polonsky . Jonathan A . Ronsse . Axelle . Ciglenecki . Iza . Rull . Monica . Porten . Klaudia . December 2013 . High levels of mortality, malnutrition, and measles, among recently-displaced Somali refugees in Dagahaley camp, Dadaab refugee camp complex, Kenya, 2011 . Conflict and Health . en . 7 . 1 . 1 . 10.1186/1752-1505-7-1 . free . 1752-1505 . 3607918 . 23339463.
  14. Rapaport . Sarah . Enumah . Zachary Obinna . Ngude . Hilary . Rhee . Daniel S . Abbas . Mohamed . Lekey . Amber . Winch . Peter J . Sakran . Joseph V . Stevens . Kent A . June 2023 . Patterns, procedures, and indications for pediatric surgery in a Tanzanian Refugee Camp: a 20-year experience . World Journal of Pediatric Surgery . en . 6 . 3 . e000528 . 10.1136/wjps-2022-000528 . 2516-5410 . 10314687 . 37396496.
  15. Gabiam . Nell . March 2012 . When "Humanitarianism" Becomes "Development": The Politics of International Aid in Syria's Palestinian Refugee Camps . American Anthropologist . en . 114 . 1 . 95–107 . 10.1111/j.1548-1433.2011.01399.x . 22662356 . 0002-7294.
  16. Altare . Chiara . Kahi . Vincent . Ngwa . Moise . Goldsmith . Amelia . Hering . Heiko . Burton . Ann . Spiegel . Paul . 2019-10-22 . Infectious disease epidemics in refugee camps: a retrospective analysis of UNHCR data (2009-2017) . Journal of Global Health Reports . en . 3 . 10.29392/joghr.3.e2019064 . 2399-1623. free .
  17. Web site: 2024-08-01 . Famine confirmed in Sudan's North Darfur, confirming UN agencies worst fears World Food Programme . 2024-10-16 . www.wfp.org . en.
  18. Web site: 2009-03-03 . Refugees flood into Darfur camp after fighting . 2024-10-16 . NBC News . en.
  19. Web site: August 27, 2024 . Sudan war: 500 days of a failing humanitarian response as medical needs soar Doctors Without Borders - USA . 2024-08-27 . www.doctorswithoutborders.org . en.
  20. Web site: زكريا . محمد . الجزيرة نت تنقل روايات عن المجاعة بمخيم زمزم في دارفور . 2024-10-16 . الجزيرة نت . ar.
  21. Web site: SUDAN: Alarming situation in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, MSF calls for urgent mobilisation of the international community . 2024-10-16 . epicentre.msf.org . en.
  22. Web site: FAMINE IN SUDAN: IPC Famine Review Committee Confirms Famine Conditions in parts of North Darfur IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification . 2024-08-07 . www.ipcinfo.org.
  23. Web site: 2024-08-05 . Sudan army bombs Darfur camp days after famine declaration . 2024-08-06 . Sudan Tribune . en-US.
  24. Web site: Sarah . 28 June 2023 . Zamzam Camp residents report 'terror' over the outbreak of war in Sudan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731221214/https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/zamzam-camp-residents-report-terror-over-the-outbreak-of-war-in-sudan . 31 July 2023 . 31 July 2023 . Dabanga Radio TV Online . en-GB.

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