Angelina Jolie's Sudan Journal - UNHCR

The biggest problem here is moving around “go” areas and “no go” areas. AlsoUN workers have to wait for UN security to clear an area before others go. Manypeople and areas asking for clearance.I overhear the news. Israel air strikes kill 12 Palestinians. Instability inAfghanistan, war in Iraq -- fighting everywhere. Earthquake in Japan.The staff is very much in need of computer equipment. It’s apparently stuck in thepipeline. It is hard to imagine all the logistical problems there are working in thisarea.At the UNHCR office, the UN security officer gives us all a security briefing. Dueto the volatile situation in the region, the staff is advised to adhere to the securityinstructions in place and keep themselves abreast of the situation all the time.This is very important.Darfur is divided into localities:- 36 different main tribes- 98 with sub divisionsThey say the crisis started when there was a drought in the north and Arab tribesmoved south. But it was last February when it exploded. JANJAWEED. Securityis trying to work in the “no go” areas to try and open them up and access thepeople in need. There was a ceasefire in April 2004. There have been severalbreaches in August and security zones were created.October 10 Masteri armed clashes. Janjaweed attacked. Masteri was the onlymain road so it stalled operations for a while.Janjaweed allegedly attacked Abu Surug and Bir Seiba, north of the westernDarfur city of Geneina, on Oct. 16, leaving at least 11 people dead. Then itbecame tense in Geneina and difficult for aid workers to work with the localmilitary. Many people wounded by last attack were waiting outside of thehospital. They were unable to have access. “Simply too many wounded.”Zone wardens are at the guest house to alert of any changing zone warnings.DrivingI see women with bricks piled on their heads. 80% of construction you see isprobably done by women. Child labor is also a problem here. For the moment itseems that all aid relief is so needed. A very welcomed sign of hope. The peoplehere have been open to the increased group of internationals.5