The Massaleit Refugees in Neighboring Countries and Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan (9/1/1999)

Large numbers of Massaleit have been forced out of their homes in western Sudan by Arab militias; such militia activity is wholly supported by the Sudanese government. In the following document, we estimate the population and needs of the Massaleit internally displaced persons and refugees based upon testimonies of persons seeking asylum in neighboring countries in addition to information supplied by others inside the Sudan .

The internally displaced Massaleit:

It is estimated that some 350,000 persons from the Massaleit ethnic group have been internally displaced, primarily within the western Dar Fur Province . Most of these people settled in towns close to their original villages and in the capital of west Dar Fur, Geneina, which absorbed almost a half of the total number of the displaced persons. In Geneina, the displaced persons occupied classrooms and other government facilities. Some of the displaced Massaleit fled to smaller towns south and south east of Dar Massaleit, such as Kerening, Morre, Mestere, Barrana, and Estabara. Others fled outside their homeland to Nyala in southern Darfur and Fasher in northern Darfur . Still others went as far as the central Sudan -- Khartoum , and eastern Sudan --Gadaref.

The needs of the anguished displaced Massaleit in Geneina are simple; among them are portable water, food items, clothes, accommodation, medical care, schools, and means of transportation. Elsewhere in Dar Massaleit, the needs of the displaced persons range from blankets to bridges across valleys.

The Massaleit Refugees in Chad :

The population of the Massaleit refugees in Chad reached 50,000 in November 1998 but it is estimated that the number has since declined to about 30,000. Some of the refugees returned to west Dar Fur as a result of government propaganda and in order to escape imminent attacks by government militias sent across the border into refugee camps in Chad . In addition, such cross border attacks forced a few Massaleit to flee to the Central African Republic from the camps in Chad. Those remaining in the camps in Chad need protection from militia attacks operating out of Sudan and basic necessities of life such as food items, shelter and medical care

The Massaleit Displaced Persons and Refugees in Egypt

The total number of Massaleit in Egypt is 150 but this number consistently increases as new refugees arrive in Egypt . At least two persons arrive in Egypt every week. The Massaleit in Egypt face a problem of lack of permanent residence (residence permits are given on arrival only for one month). They also suffer unemployment and housing problems. The UNHCR accepted very few as refugees. Out of the total population of the Massaleit in Egypt only three families were given refugee status. The rest are denied protection for the reason that they fled ethnic conflicts rather than government-inspired attacks.