Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Caritas Internationalis represent the vast majority of the humanitarian aid response of the world's Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches. In an unique co-operation, ACT and Caritas have shared their resources to work together to help many of the 1.88 million internally displaced people in Darfur.
The ACT-Caritas operation has benefited from millions of dollars given by 60 donors worldwide.
Since the start of the programme in June 2004, ACT-Caritas has helped more than 470,000 displaced people who have sought the relative safety of camps but also others who have remained in their homes.
The multinational ACT-Caritas team works with key local members and partners - SCC, SUDO and Sudan Aid. The operation employs some 35 international and 350 Sudanese staff. Our field offices cover the provinces of Nyala, Shearia, El Dhein, Edd Al Fursan, Zalingei, Wadi Salih and Jebel Marra.
ACT-Caritas collaborates with the Humanitarian Aid Commission of Sudan (HAC) and other ministries. The joint operation runs under the legal umbrella of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) in Sudan.
Achievements through November 2005
Life-support items and shelter
- More than 72,000 households have received plastic sheeting, water cans, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping mats. The aim is to provide thousands more households with these items.
- 4,000 shelters have been constructed in camps.
Water
- 94 boreholes have been drilled and yielded water and 60 hand pumps repaired; 22 shallow wells have been dug and 40 rehabilitated.
- 14 chlorinated water-bladder systems provide water to displaced people in camps.
- Three water yards containing tap stands and storage tanks have been rehabilitated.
Hygiene promotion
- 41,000 hygiene kits have been distributed. Basic kits include soap, cotton wool, combs and nail clippers. Enhanced kits include washing basins, sandals, shawls and jugs.
- 29 community mobilisers and 349 public health volunteers have been trained, and 32 public health committees have been formed; 50 hygiene workshops have been held.
Nutrition
- More than 40,000 malnourished children under five and pregnant and breast feeding women have received supplementary rations.
- 270 children under five have been admitted to an outpatient therapeutic programme for severely malnourished children.
Education
- ACT-Caritas partners have restored 12 permanent schools and constructed 10 permanent new school buildings.
- Partners have also provided 15 temporary schools and provided teacher training, school materials, water and pit latrines.
Primary health
- 22 primary health care clinics are serving up to 25,000 patients a month in camps and host communities.
- Two rural hospitals have been rehabilitated and will open as regional health centres in 2006.
Protection
- More than 2,000 people, including local government leaders, sheiks, partners, and programme staff, have received training in child rights, international humanitarian law (IHL) and in how to monitor cases of abuse.
- More than 14,000 displaced people - including children - have taken part in awareness-raising sessions on human rights.
- 350 women have been trained to be trainers in the manufacture and use of fuel-efficient stoves.
Psycho-social assistance
- 9 community centres in camps for the displaced are providing counseling services for trauma survivors.
- More than 150 volunteer community workers and more than 200 primary school teachers have been trained the support of trauma survivors.
Agriculture
- 22,000 packs of grain seeds and tools were distributed in the main planting season; a further 12,500 households have received vegetable seeds for winter.
- Training continues in seed selection and storage for future harvests and in basic agricultural techniques.
Sanitation
- 3,450 pit latrines have been newly constructed and 2,300 rehabilitated.
- 60 newly built school latrines are now in use.
- 1,250 hand-washing facilities have been provided.