(Kampala) – The humanitarian emergency room at Zamzam IDP camp reported that Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) warplanes bombed the camp on the evening of August 04, 2024, injuring four children who are now in serious condition.

A resident, speaking to the Darfur Network for Human Rights, stated that two barrel bombs were dropped inside the residential neighbourhoods of Zamzam camp, destroying more than 20 houses. The resident confirmed that while one of the bombs exploded, causing significant damage, the other bomb has yet to detonate, leading to widespread fear and panic within the camp.

According to the resident, the first bomb, which did not explode, struck the Muhajeriya neighbourhood, destroying four houses. The second bomb, which fell in the Labado neighbourhood near Baloula School, detonated, destroying 16 houses and injuring four children.

Authorities in the camp have issued an urgent appeal to relevant organisations to remove the unexploded ordnance to ensure the safety of the displaced people. The camp’s authorities condemned the bombing, describing it as a criminal act.

The Sudan Liberation Forces Gathering, led by Al-Tahir Hajar, also condemned the bombing of the Zamzam camp in El Fasher, where hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the war are sheltering. The group released a statement explaining that the armed forces had targeted the Zamzam camp with warplanes, using barrel bombs. The bombing specifically hit Square (12) of Zamzam Camp “A” and the Shaeria neighbourhood in Zamzam Camp “B.” While one of the barrels failed to explode, the other caused property damage and partial collapse of several houses.

The group warned against targeting IDP camps through aerial bombardment, stressing that these camps are civilian areas with no military presence. They emphasised that such attacks constitute war crimes under international law.

Just last week, several UN agencies involved in the Integrated Interim Food Security Assessment and the US Famine Early Warning Systems Network declared a famine in Zamzam camp, which houses approximately 500,000 displaced people.

The Darfur Network for Human Rights condemns this heinous act of violence. With famine already officially declared in Zamzam IDP camp, this bombing only exacerbates the dire situation for the impoverished population living there.