Team Zamzam Monthly Report: Mid-May 2026 to Mid-June 2026
Translated by Gaffar Mohammud Saeneen
Introduction
This report is exceptional both in timing and content. It is being prepared at a critical moment to shed light on the situation of thousands of Sudanese refugees stranded in the Bami Joura camp in the Tiné area and on the continuing shortcomings of the international humanitarian response to their plight.
We describe this report as exceptional because of the unprecedented humanitarian conditions experienced by refugees during the reporting period. Camp residents have endured severe hunger and thirst, alongside acute shortages of essential medicines and basic services necessary for survival.
Since our arrival in Chad, we have been based at Bami Joura Camp. The camp was established following the outbreak of war in Sudan on 15 April 2023. However, the humanitarian crisis within the camp worsened dramatically after the fall of Zamzam camp, the second-largest displacement camp in Sudan, located west of El Fasher, the capital of the Darfur region, which had endured a prolonged siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Hundreds of thousands of people fled from Zamzam in the wake of the RSF assault—perhaps more than 500,000—ER]
Following the fall of Zamzam Camp, Bami Joura experienced a massive influx of people fleeing the conflict. This significantly worsened the humanitarian situation. Despite the scale of the crisis, international humanitarian actors were unable to provide even the minimum requirements for a dignified life.
Since the attack on Zamzam Camp in April 2025 and the subsequent fall of El Fasher in October 2025, Bami Joura has received hundreds of thousands of civilians escaping the horrors of war. Among them are children suffering from severe malnutrition, pregnant women in urgent need of medical care, elderly people living with chronic illnesses, families carrying relatives with serious injuries caused by indiscriminate shelling, and young girls who survived sexual violence and continue to suffer from depression and psychological trauma.
The repeated appeals made by community leaders and local organizations, coupled with the inadequate humanitarian response to provide basic necessities for refugees and displaced people, have forced many camp residents to leave in search of food security and better living conditions elsewhere. Many others have lost their lives due to disease, malnutrition, and the lack of adequate healthcare.
Today, after enduring all these hardships, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has decided to relocate the residents of Bami Joura camp to a new site [Mayba] located more than twenty kilometers from the town of Tiné. This decision is expected to create additional challenges for refugees, who will be required to travel long distances to and from the town in order to access even the most basic goods and services.
The Role of the Zamzam Team
Over the past year, the Zamzam Team has made every possible effort to provide humanitarian assistance as well as psychosocial support to refugees and their children. The team has also played a pivotal role in drawing the attention of local and regional organizations to the daily hardships faced by refugees.
In addition, the team introduced innovative initiatives that directly helped alleviate the impact of hunger within the camp. The Zamzam Team was the first volunteer group to prepare and distribute large quantities of cooked meals, providing refugees with fresh food under extremely challenging circumstances.
The team also focuses on training and empowering volunteers from within the refugee community itself, encouraging them to actively participate in activities and initiatives related to refugee welfare and community needs.
When the Zamzam Team learned about the planned relocation of Bami Joura camp, it was the first group to mobilize local associations and organizations to meet with officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The purpose of these meetings was to seek clarification regarding the relocation decision and to advocate for guarantees that humanitarian assistance and essential services would be available at the new site.
Although the decision to relocate the refugees had been made earlier in the year, its implementation was scheduled to begin only three days before Eid al-Adha. In coordination with other local organizations, the Zamzam Team played a significant role in persuading UNHCR to postpone the relocation process until after the holiday. As a result, UNHCR agreed to grant refugees an additional period extending one week beyond Eid, allowing them sufficient time to organize their belongings and prepare for the move in a more secure and dignified manner.
When the first phase of relocation to the new camp began at the end of the first week of June, the Zamzam Team deployed four of its members to the new site to support refugees, assist them during the transition, monitor the relocation process, and document any challenges they encountered.
Adapting to life in the new camp presents significant challenges for refugees. One of the major difficulties is the long distance between the camp and the nearby towns of Tiné and Iriba, both located approximately 25 kilometers away. This distance exposes refugees to exploitation by traders, as access to markets and essential goods is limited. In addition, the camp is far from critical services such as hospitals and private pharmacies, making it difficult for residents to obtain timely medical care. Access to water is also a serious concern, as refugees have experienced an acute shortage of water in the camp, particularly in recent months, further worsening their living conditions.
Team Zamzam Continues Its Humanitarian Work
During the reporting period from mid-May to mid-June, Team Zamzam’s counselors, supported by their dedicated volunteers, continued to provide comprehensive assistance to refugees on a daily basis. Their efforts extended beyond psychological and nutritional support, as they also served as a source of hope, guidance, and resilience for the refugee community.
Over time, Team Zamzam has become more than a support service; it has evolved into a social and cultural learning space that helps refugees navigate the realities of everyday life with dignity and confidence. Through its commitment, compassion, and close engagement with the community, the team has played a vital role in strengthening social cohesion and promoting well-being among refugees.
As refugees continue to adapt to life in the new camp, Team Zamzam remains steadfast in its mission and is committed to carrying forward the same spirit of service, solidarity, and dedication in the new location.
During the reporting period mentioned above:
[1] Essential relief items, including rice, sugar, pasta, and laundry soap, were distributed to 363 households, benefiting a total of 2,824 individuals.
[2] A breakfast program for children was implemented, providing a meal consisting of doughnuts (zalabiya), biscuits, and a cup of hot milk. During the month, 8,541 children benefited from this initiative.
[3] During the Eid al-Adha period, from 27 May to 30 May, we provided freshly prepared lunch meals to more than 400 families and their children, many of whom were suffering from malnutrition. In addition, Eid sweets were distributed to children, and recreational activities were organized for both children and adults.
Most camp residents participated in the events held in the public square, where various performances were presented, including traditional folk dances and children’s theatrical shows. The program was highly successful and contributed significantly to reducing the psychological stress experienced by children and elderly people.
[4] We also conducted regular field visits to monitor the living conditions of camp residents, document their concerns and observations, and listen to their needs and future aspirations.
[5] Furthermore, we continued to strengthen awareness-raising, counseling, and support services for survivors of sexual violence. A total of 42 individual sessions and 8 group sessions were conducted. Through these interventions, a noticeable and positive improvement was observed among the beneficiaries.
[6] In collaboration with other local associations and organizations, we held a meeting with officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to discuss the planned relocation of refugees to a new camp. We also submitted memoranda highlighting refugees’ hardships, concerns, and complaints to ensure that their voices and needs were communicated to the relevant authorities.
