The floods not only destroyed property, but also brought serious health concerns. "When the latrines collapsed, thousands of people had no alternative but to defecate in the open," says Nafisa, a mother-of-three living in the camp. In the uncovered latrine pits, stagnant flood water became ripe breeding ground for diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, ringworm and cholera.

In an effort to stem the potential spread of disease, Oxfam's public health team delivered cartons of soap to 18,500 families. Staff and volunteers used donkey carts to travel across the camp and provide hygiene advice.

Photo: Oxfam

People lost many of their most essential possessions.

Oxfam provided 7,000 families with blankets, women's clothing, plastic sheeting and jerry cans for carrying water.

Working with other aid agencies, over 1,000 emergency 'shelter kits' were also given out. Each kit contains 12 grass mats, 15 bamboo poles and plastic bed mats, with which families can erect temporary homes.

Photo: Oxfam

"After everything they have been through, it's amazing to see the energy with which the community has responded," says Karen. "The first day after the floods, the women all rolled up their skirts, waded through the dirty water and set to work. The men have been eager to dig new latrines - they just need materials. We give them the tools and off they go. Everyone is committed to rebuilding their lives as soon as possible."

"When we respond to emergencies like this, it can't work well unless the community is involved. They have been with us every step of the way."

Photo: Oxfam

In the immediate aftermath, people were scared that further flooding would follow.

Oxfam gave out more than 6,000 empty sugar sacks to the community, which they then filled with earth dug up from the recently flooded ground. The sacks were then piled up along the flood plain to protect the most vulnerable parts of the camp.

The new embankment is now over three metres high.

Photo: Oxfam

2,344 latrines were destroyed by the floods. Some need repairing, while others need rebuilding completely. Oxfam's engineers in Kalma are now piloting a new, stronger latrine design better able to withstand floods. 1,000 of the new structures will be built initially.

The new design is made from a sheet of metal, bent into a circle and reinforced with bamboo poles. Most previous latrines have been made with sandbags.

Photo: Oxfam

"The soil structure in Kalma is very loose and heavy," explains Karen. "In other parts of Darfur, latrines made from sandbags are often strong enough - but in Kalma the soil subsides too easily so the latrines need to be reinforced."

"The new design takes a lot of work. The metal needs cutting and bending into shape, and it is very labour intensive. But in the long run it should be safer and last longer, so it's worth the effort."

Photo: Oxfam

The floods struck Kalma the day after the monthly food distribution, and some families saw their entire food rations for the weeks ahead destroyed. Jobs are scarce in most camps in Darfur and there are few opportunities to earn a significant income. Most people still have to rely heavily on aid.

But food rations were cut in half earlier this year because of frequent attacks on food trucks. More than 40 drivers from the World Food Programme have been abducted this year, and 100 trucks hijacked. Now the floods have left many people in Kalma with less food than ever.

Photo: Oxfam

The floods are not the only recent tragedy to beset the people of Kalma. Shortly afterwards, at least 32 people were shot dead and dozens more wounded, when local police and military surrounded the camp - according to the UN-AU peacekeepers in Darfur.

The incident further devastated communities across the camp, but also delayed the urgent humanitarian response to the flooding. Throughout Darfur, vital humanitarian work continues to be obstructed by the ongoing violence.

Photo: Oxfam

In Kalma, the team is working closely with committees made up of members of the local community to ensure aid can still be provided even when it is too dangerous for Oxfam staff to come to the camp. Committee members are being trained to operate and maintain the Oxfam water pumps, which currently provide the only source of clean water for 63,000 people in Kalma.

Photo: Oxfam