Displacement stories... Refugees in Widwell camp, South Sudan

Moatinoon
Refugees and returnees displaced by the conflict in Sudan share stories of harrowing journeys and survival in the fast-growing camp of Wedweil, South Sudan.

Most have reached Renk in the northeast of the country, but many are also coming through two border crossing points from Darfur, Sudan, to Northern Bahr el Ghazal state in northwestern South Sudan, which borders East Darfur and Abyei states to the north.

According to UNHCR, around 9,000 people are currently living in a refugee settlement near a town called Wedweil, where MSF opened a health clinic in June as part of its emergency response. The MSF clinic is for everyone in the area: refugees, returnees, and existing residents of Wedweil included.

Many of the refugees and returnees who have made it to Wedweil faced harrowing journeys to reach safety, witnessing the brutal killing of their friends and family, attacks and robberies by armed men, as well as many days of thirst and hunger. Now, they have a new reality to adapt to, with little food and few job opportunities. Many express that they have little hope for their future or the future of their children. Here, some of our patients share their stories.

“They took everything"
Elmoataz and Sittam are a married couple from Nyala, Sudan, who are expecting their first child. Elmoataz worked at a university in Nyala before their hometown became a battlefield. They were attacked at the market as the city became a lawless zone. “Anybody could come and kill you,” said Elmoataz. “There were no rules, no government, people were killed. They took everything.”

All in all, it took them 23 days to reach Wedweil. Now, they feel safe, but still, there is not enough food.

A dramatic change of plans
Fisal was studying to become a nurse in Khartoum when the violence started—then all her plans changed dramatically. After her husband was killed, she fled with her mother and sister, witnessing heavy fighting on the way. When men attempted to rape her sister, she was shot while trying to escape. Fisal and her mother continued to Wedweil, where they finally feel safe, but Fisal feels there is no chance for a job or a future.

A month-long journey
Musa and Alima are a couple from Nyala in South Darfur, Sudan with four children. Back in Nyala, Musa used to work in a restaurant. When the violence in Sudan erupted, Alima was shot by armed men. All their property was taken, so on June 18, they decided to flee. On their way to Wedweil, the couple slept on roadsides or in the forests, collecting rainwater to drink and with little food.

During their dangerous journey, they were also attacked and beaten. When they finally reached the border, they were given food, shelter, financial support, and water from NGOs. In total, it took them a month to reach Wedweil. In the camp, they say that they finally feel safe, but that they still face many problems: There is not enough food, there is no chance of work, and there is no school for their children. They feel they are heading toward a very insecure future.

"If they didnt find money, they killed people in their homes."
Hamad came to Wedweil with his children. His wife recently passed away, and his son just tested positive for malaria. They traveled for 12 days from Nyala to Wedweil and arrived on June 28. “The rebels were looting the houses and taking everything they could find. If they didnt find money, they killed people in their homes. That is why I fled with my family,” he said.

No future without education
Ahmed and Leymona are from El Geneina in West Darfur, Sudan. They are married and have five children. In their hometown, Ahmed was a businessman and sold clothes until then the violence erupted and the fighting came very close to their home. The child of a neighbor was shot in the head and many other people were killed—even some of their relatives—so they decided to flee for their lives with their children.

On the way, they slept by the side of the road and were attacked by armed groups. When they finally reached the border, they were provided with food and water, but there was no medical support. It took them a month to reach Wedweil and although they received water, food, and medical assistance there, their children cannot go to school. This is a big problem for the family because they fear that there will be no future for their children without a proper education.

Source: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/sudan-if-they-didnt-find-money-they-killed-people-their-homes