High risk of fires in Yida refugee camp

Fire consumed two more houses in Yida camp on Friday as dry weather continued in the northern South Sudanese territory, which serves as a sanctuary for more than 70,000 people from the Nuba Mountains.

Fire consumed two more houses in Yida camp on Friday as dry weather continued in the northern South Sudanese territory, which serves as a sanctuary for more than 70,000 people from the Nuba Mountains.  

The fire is thought to have broken out at the home of Ikhlas Ibrahim Kuwa and spread thereafter to the house of the neighbor Mohammed Al Amin. Strong winds prevented refugees from extinguishing the blaze.

Ikhlas, one of the victims, lamented that she lost all her property including food, furniture and clothing, as well as her university certificates and her telephone.

Mohammed likewise said he has lost all his property, including stores of sorghum and furniture, explaining that now his only possessions are the clothes he was wearing when the fire broke out.

The fire was the fourth in the camp this week. Houses in Yida are typically made of straw. In the presence of strong winds, they are easily set fire by a spark.

Related: Fire destroys Nuba refugees’ homes (12 Feb.)

Photo: Refugees watch the blaze that destroyed two houses in Yida camp, 14 February 2014 (Radio Tamazuj)