At a time when aid workers and the international
community continue to express grave concern for the plight of over one
million people in the Darfur province of western Sudan, Australians have
shown compassion responding swiftly and generously to the Sudan Emergency
Appeal of Australian Red Cross by donating $100,000 of vital funds to assist
those in need of drinking water, shelter and food.
However, despite this encouraging
development, this amount represents only ten percent of the Red Cross'
Australian target of $1 million and Nathan Rabe, Head of International
Operations department, is again urging the public to dig deep and support
the Red Cross Sudan Emergency Appeal.
We are pleased with the public response to the Appeal so far. However, we are still some way to go if we are to achieve our goal of raising $1 million in Australia, which is in support of the Global Red Cross Appeal for Sudan of over $30 million.
Darfur is a humanitarian tragedy on an enormous scale. Unfortunately the suffering of the people in the region is 'hidden' as the world focuses on other issues. The increasing vulnerability of the population is directly linked to the ongoing hostilities which threaten to endanger hundreds of thousands of lives, said Mr Rabe.
At the same time, the onset of the rains is hampering access and the approaching planting season has exacerbated the plight of over a million displaced people. In some areas, people have been able to return home to till the land, but they have had to leave their families behind because of concerns about security.
'We are in a race against time, and every dollar raised helps the Red Cross respond to the most pressings needs of the most vulnerable in this humanitarian crisis,' Mr Rabe said.
To make a donation to the Red Cross Sudan Emergency Appeal:
- Secure on-line facilities at http://www.redcross.org.au
- Freecall 1800 811 700 from anywhere in Australia
- Send a cheque to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city
Latest Update on Humanitarian Activities of the Red Cross & Red Crescent in Darfur
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Over the past week the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) have sent teams to assess needs in areas not yet visited.
ICRC delegates are trying to respond to the demands created by new displacements of people from rural areas southeast of Nyala, which are placing an additional burden on existing camps. Organization in the camps and drinking water supplies in particular need to be improved. Recent flooding has also exacerbated health risks.
The health program was given a boost with the airlifting to Kutum and Zalingei of medical equipment provided by the Danish and Norwegian Red Cross Societies.
The ICRC has started to enter areas until now inaccessible owing to security or logistical constraints. These areas are of major concern to the ICRC, which hopes to provide urgent assistance to people who have not yet received any sort of humanitarian aid.
Nearly 80 ICRC delegates and 315 local staff are currently working for the Darfur operation - four of these are Australian Red Cross delegates.
HEALTH ASSISTANCE
Over the past week, the ICRC-supported hospital of El Fasher has treated 64 surgical cases, 70 medical cases and 315 outpatients, including 86 children. Beds and mattresses have been donated to the children's ward to cope with new admissions.
Over the past two weeks, an ICRC surgeon and anaesthetist, working together with local surgeons, have operated on 27 war-wounded patients at Nyala hospital.
WATER AND HABITAT
In Kebkabiya, construction work on wells continued in a number of locations: the hospital, the eastern and northern parts of town and Ahatti village. New sites for wells were identified in the west of town and the central wadi, and digging has now begun.
In Abshok camp, progress was made in laying out a new area for displaced persons.
In Kutum, wells were deepened in Wadi Kassab, near Kassab camp, and in Kambout village. A new well is being dug for Kassab camp.
RESTORING FAMILY LINKS
During the field trips to Tawilla and Kabkabiya in northern Darfur, the ICRC followed up cases of previously registered unaccompanied children and registered a new child. A dozen tracing requests for children were collected, mainly in Tawilla. Lists of registered children and children sought by their parents were posted at the local SRC offices.
An additional 15 children separated from their families were registered in Kass. Lists of registered children and children being sought by their parents were posted at the ICRC office in Nyala and on SRC premises in Nyala and Kass. The ICRC is currently training teachers and tracing volunteers in camps for internally displaced persons. The ICRC has also started to involve a local radio station in tracing activities.
ASSISTANCE IN EASTERN CHAD
Insecurity in Darfur has forced a growing number of Sudanese to cross the border into Chad. UNHCR estimates that approximately 122,000 refugees now live in eight organized camps in eastern Chad and more are expected to arrive.
In response to the situation, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been providing the following types of assistance:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) is working together with the Chad Red Cross, and in the past period they helped in the relocation of 97,236 refugees to various camps. In addition, they registered a further 40,485 for transfer. The teams are also assisting with the transport of water to the camps, as well as non-food items. Chad Red Cross has 140 volunteers working on the repatriation effort together with the Federation. Meanwhile the Federation is scaling up its activities in Chad and after completing an assessment mission aims to increase its capacity in relief, and water and sanitation.
The ICRC has established a family tracing service, including the installation of ICRC antennas in the camps of Kounoungo, Touloum, Goz Amer and Farshana, and also a Red Cross Message system that will enable the refugees to communicate with their families in Darfur. 40 volunteers from the Chad Red Cross are currently being trained to support the ICRC's tracing work.
Darfur images available at http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/photoalbum/1075376530.htm
To make a donation to the Sudan Emergency Appeal:
- Secure on-line facilities at www.redcross.org.au
- Freecall 1800 811 700 from anywhere in Australia
- Send a cheque or money order to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. For more Appeal information visit www.redcross.org.au
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW - Nathan Rabe, International Operations Manager, Australian Red Cross
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY
Vedran Drakulic
National Communications Manager
Telephone +61 3 9345 1865
Mobile +61 (0)419 579 209
Ian Woolverton
Media Adviser - International Programs
Telephone +61 3 9345 1868
Mobile + 61 (0)418 526 850
Ian Woolverton
International Media Advisor
Australian Red Cross
155 Pelham Sreet, Carlton
Victoria 3053
Tel: + 61 3 9329 0633
Mobile: + 61 418 526 850
Email: iwoolverton@redcross.org.au
Website: www.redcross.org.au