West Darfur - Study on internally displaced persons and social settlements
22 Feb 2010 Humanitarian crisesSudan
The study on internally displaced persons and social settlements in West Darfur concerns the conditions and implications of community involvement in a context such as that in the displaced persons’ camps of Ardamata, Dorti and Riyad near the capital of West Darfur (Sudan), El Geneina, where Terre des hommes has been working since 2004.
It is in line with a comparative perspective: the model of community involvement presents fundamental divergences from the traditional Sheikh system, which takes its power from the hierarchical social system of tribal and traditional society in Darfur, based on the two guiding principles of class and age. In the context of the camps it is expressed in a new form, but places the Sheikhs in a central position between the displaced people and external organisations. Community participation aims at the emergence and assumption of responsibility of other parties and social groups in the running of the camps. The transition from the Sheikh system to community participation is experiencing resistance from the Sheikhs, whilst the social groups are organising themselves in various ways according to their camps.
The results show the differentiation in the Sheikhs’ acceptance of the presence of young people and, above all, of women, in the work of coordination in the camps. Comparative nearness to the town of Geneina plays a major role. Access to work for young people and women in the urban centre as well as the influence of city values seems to contribute to the improvement of their status. The Sheikhs oppose the presence of women in the Camp Coordination Meetings, but yield to the pressure of the young people who are starting to use force against corrupt Sheikhs. Quantitative surveys among the displaced showed their interest in the management of the camps and their willingness to be consulted on the major decisions which concern them.
The study closes with both strategic and operational recommendations for the improvement of community participation.
