Over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are estimated in the western Sudan region of Darfur with 326,422 in South Darfur, 398,773 in North Darfur and 502,265 in West Darfur. In addition to IDPs, an affected host community of residents (271,342) is accounted for as part of the 1,498,802 total number of conflict-affected population. An additional significant number of the population, who are neither IDPs nor part of the host community of residents have been affected by the conflict. This number is not known, but it is estimated that the total number of conflict affected could reach over two million.

As of 1 August, it is estimated that 62% of the conflict-affected population were provided with food, 53% of IDPs received NFI/shelter assistance, 36% of the conflict affected population have clean water and 18% of IDPs are covered by sanitation interventions. Primary health care facilities cover 50% of the conflict-affected population while secondary health care facilities are available for 55% of the conflict-affected population.

Protection and security remain the priority concerns of IDPs. Despite the signing of a ceasefire agreement on 8 April, general insecurity persists with continuing violence by various armed groups, banditry and lawlessness.

The Darfur Humanitarian Profile is a 'living document' that aims to provide as comprehensive an overview as possible of the number and locations of IDPs and other people affected by the recent conflict in Darfur at a specific point in time, and a description of the current humanitarian agency presence in the region. This document aims to provide the most recent information and data available from the field. Most importantly, however, the Humanitarian Profile aims to clearly outline the needs and gaps as of 1 August 2004 in key sectors such as food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, primary health care facilities, basic drug supplies, secondary health facilities, and nutrition.(1) As such it is a benchmark for assessing the overall humanitarian situation in Darfur and the adequacy of the current humanitarian response. It is additionally used for contingency/program planning, advocacy and resource mobilization.(2) A necessary caveat is that protection remains the IDPs foremost priority and lack of security continues to impact the humanitarian assistance program throughout the Darfur region.

The Profile consists of a narrative overview of the region including charts and maps providing key figures for each Darfur state regarding numbers of IDPs and affected people and gaps in each humanitarian sector provided both for the affected population as a whole and for those that are accessible according to the United Nations security standards. The overall account of the humanitarian situation is complemented with information on access and protection issues. In addition, there is a specific overview on each Darfur state. A one-page matrix on each IDP location is included in the annexes and includes details on current response, pipeline issues, and action points for the specific location.

Footnotes:

(1) Additional sectors include expanded program of immunization (EPI), agriculture, education, protection and camp management.

(2) The 90-Day Humanitarian Action Plan for Darfur is the framework of immediate response to the humanitarian situation outlined by UN agencies and NGOs over a period from 1 June to 31 August 2004. Both the 90-Day Plan and the Funding Overview for the Darfur Crisis -- a resource-tracking document - can be found at www.unsudanig.org.

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