I'm only passing by, passing by...

Today my family and I visited Camp 5 since we needed to establish our presence as refugees from Brynania to Ruritania, although we do not live within the camp itself. I had never been to a camp before today, so many of the things were quite shocking to me, and I feel very fortunate that my uncle was able to help us out.

When we got to the entrance to the camp, I was surprised to find some armed men inside the gates were PFLZ guerillas! Apparently the Zaharian resistance is active among its people inside, but aren't allowed outside by the Ruritanian security forces that ring the camp. Once inside, we went to the registration tent and signed up with the UN. We didn't take the housing supplies they give out since we're not staying inside, but I was happy to see that at least these supplies are available to those who have to leave everything and start from scratch. We then walked over to the food distribution tent. The aid distributors told us that we should come back every two weeks on Wednesdays to receive our food packages. By assigning days, they avoid mass chaos at the distribution center. The food isn't so great, but consists of rice, lentils, vegetable oil, corn, sugar, and salt, which are distributed for a certain amount of calories a day per person.

We took a tour of the grounds. In my wildest dreams, I could have never imagined a place such as this. In the newer looking section of the camp, there are medium tents that hold about 10 to 12 people, holding what I'd say would be big enough to house an extended Zaharian family. There are many tents that are grouped closely together and then there are walking paths in between these large clumps. For each group of tents, there is a small makeshift kitchen - some "stoves" were just empty metal garbage bins with a fire inside. However, it seems that the camp was built from an existing framework, so the older arrivals live in constructed shelters (done by the UNHCR) and older buildings. Still, the same sort of arrangements are in place - communal water pump, shared kitchens, etc.

The people have to get their water from large communal pumps that are located in between areas where tents were clumped together. Every day a shipment of water comes in and refills every pump tank. The people use this water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and washing up. I like how this system is set up because I think it's the best way to keep disease and contamination to a minimum. However, this water arrangement has been stressed and overtaxed as more refugees arrive everyday.

As for the inhabitant's health, they have a hospital inside and then they have smaller doctor/nurse posts scattered around. The ICRC have volunteers there and I believe they even organized the structure of the program within the camp. I would imagine that they'd have a small stock of medicines on hand and supplies for doing surgery. Zahraid is also working hard inside the camp to help the people out, and they work together with the UNHCR and the ICRC.

There is also a large tent that serves as the camp's school. As we passed it, my mother inquired about whether or not my sister Zoe and younger brother Zeke should go to the school. However, we soon discovered that the school is mainly a coping mechanism for the children in the camp to deal with the severe changes in their lives... to establish a sense of normalcy. I don't think my mom wants Zoe and Zeke to go to and from the camp every day; on the other hand, she wants them to keep their minds active. I offered to help her out by suggesting that maybe at the small library beside this internet cafe I could educate my brother and sister. My mom's still considering what she thinks is best for the two of them.

One feature that made me very happy to live outside of the camp is the situation with the latrines. The latrines are made from a trench-like structure that do not offer any privacy at all to the refugees inhabiting the camp. They seem to be located away from areas of the camp that might be affected - like the water pumps and the food distribution center.

Lastly, there is a special area of the camp that has been extra carefully guarded with a few people inside. My brother Zeke went to ask a camp worker about this and they told him that this is the quarantine area. Worried about an outbreak, perhaps of cholera, the camp prepared this smaller section ahead of time.

I think we all left the camp in a bit of a daze. The conditions of the camp seem to be horrible at this point in time. Everyone looks so tired, most likely caused by malnutrition and poor sleep (as those in the tents are non well protected from the cold nights). Another big problem I noticed is that no one seems to be doing their part in the camp, and as a result, garbage and sewage has managed to spread to places that could potentially pose major health threats.

I hope that I do not have to enter the camp very often because it is a depressing scene of people who have been forced from Zaharia and every minute in that place would be a reminder of why you had you flee there in the first place. A constant reminder of the life you left behind, of the things you sacrificed, of the places you once considered familiar. Sure, the camp is supposed to be a temporary set-up while the world around you flares up politically... but time must pass so slowly living in such cramped quarters. I also question just how safe the camp would be, especially for women.

Well, this entry's been quite long, so I'll end it here. Until next time!