Kalma Camp, S Darfur: Resuming AU firewood patrols is vital

More than 200 women have been sexually assaulted in the last five weeks alone around Darfur's largest displaced camp, Kalma, IRC reported today via Reuters. Excerpt:

The situation is so dire that about 300 women convened a meeting in Kalma on Aug 7 to plead for more help from the outside world -- particularly from African Union troops mandated to protect civilians.

"This is a massive spike in figures. We are used to hearing of 2 to 4 incidents of sexual assault per month in Kalma camp," said Kurt Tjossem of the International Rescue Committee, which collected the figures.

Note the report points out that resuming regular African Union firewood patrols is vital to the women's immediate security needs.



"We are not in safety where is the international forces" photo released by the United Nations shows refugees at the Kalma Camp in south Darfur, in 2005. (AFP/UN-HO/Aug 17, 2006/Evan Schneider)