A representative of nomads who have returned to Sudan’s Sennar State to escape fighting in South Sudan will meet with President Omar al Bashir to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation of his constituency.
In a press statement at the premises of the national parliament on Tuesday, paramount nazir of the Rufa’a Al Hawa tribe Yusuf Abu Rouf said at least 31 nomads including women and children have died owing to poor health conditions triggered by heavy rainfall in the state.
Yusuf, who represents Mazmum constituency in the National Legislative Assembly, echoed reports earlier that the pastoralists are short of water, basic services, and education.
He said there are 70,000 returnees in Sennar and Blue Nile states.
“The returnees are now living under trees amid heavy rains of this year. So due to lacks of services they are drinking rainwater,” he said.
Yusuf stressed that corridors should be opened up in order to provide pastures and to survey model villages for the returnees as per directives of the president.
Previously, Sennar state governor Ahmed Abbas identified Kokari and Turus villages, which are about 40 kilometres from Abu Hajar Locality, as the resettlement sites for returned pastoralists.
Yusuf said that the “necessary arrangements” have been made for him to meet hte president.
File photo: Nomads in Sennar
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