A year after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement the situation in Darfur is worse than ever. Rather than bringing peace to the region, it has led to further fighting and insecurity.
An estimated 1.9 million people are now living in over crowded makeshift camps. Clean water is in short supply. Food is scarce. With no peace or security, people are too scared to return home.
As the crisis continues, Christian Aid is working through Action for Churches Together, Caritas and three local partner organisations.
Alistair Dutton , head of Christian Aid's humanitarian response unit, said: 'Despite the increasing insecurity in the area, we are still getting help to those in need, but it is becoming more difficult and expensive .'
Christian Aid is working through local organisations to provide:
- safe, clean water by drilling new boreholes, installing and repairing hand pumps and rehabilitating hand-dug wells
- food rations to malnourished children under 5 years and pregnant women
- basic necessities such as water cans, cooking utensils, mosquito nets and blankets to families living in camps
- primary health care to people living in the camps and host communities
- rebuilding and rehabilitating schools so the children do not miss out on their education whilst living in the camps
Dutton added: 'We are also asking governments to provide adequate protection to the people living in Darfur and support a single inclusive peace process.
'We desperately need your support today to ensure we can continue to provide help to people in Darfur both now and in the future. At the moment we are helping 450,000 people. If we do not receive enough funding we will have to scale down our work - an unimaginable thought given the worsening crisis.'
For more information call Dominic Nutt on 0207 523 2427 or 07720 467680. Out of hours call 07850 242 950.