The crisis in Darfum in Western Sudan is being described as the world's worst humanitarian disaster. As the continuing war wreaks havoc in the nation, an estimated 1.2 million villagers have fled their homes and have been displaced with nothing.

Camp sites set up by humanitarian aid groups are bursting with refugees arriving everyday. Thousands lack proper shelter, food, water, blankets and healthcare. The rainy season makes the situation much worse as more people grow vulnerable to disease. Roads are transformed into swamps making it difficult for trucks to convey the emergency equipment. The situation is deteriorating as children suffer from malnutrition and dehydration.

In response to the crisis, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation set up on behalf of several aid charities in the UK, has launched an appeal that brought 11 leading aid agencies in Britain together. The DEC Sudan Emergency Appeal kicked off 10 days ago. Already millions have been raised but the appeal has been extended until 5th August to generate more support.

"The public is being extremely generous, and clearly feels immense sympathy for the plight of more than one million homeless people in west Sudan," said Brendan Gormley, the DEC's chief executive. But he urged the public that more money was needed. "the money raised will make a real difference and will feed one million people for three months but there is still the need for aid agencies to provide more shelter, clean drinking water, sanitation and medical treatment."

The population in Karma, an official government camp, has jumped to 80,000 refugees. It is only 30 minutes away from Nyala, and has attracted support from lots of NGOs. The government is trying to discourage more people from coming to Kalma because the staff are unable to cope with so many.

An emergency Oxfam flight left Manston airport in Kent with 30 tonnes of aid to supply the Kalma camp. Everything down to malaria nets and water equipment is
being shipped in.

"The situation in Darfur is getting worse and worse, people are already dying but we are dreading a cholera outbreak which could kill a lot more. This equipment is urgently needed and will help us to save lives," says Paul Smith Lomas, Humanitarian Director of Oxfam, one of the 11 leading charities appealing for Sudan.

Also, the Nyala programme is being carried out in joint operation with Caritas International Network and its Protestant equivalent Action by Churches Together. ACT/Caritas program aims to help 500,000 displaced people and is working hand in hand with the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), Sudo and Sudanaid. They have helped around 50,000 displaced people with shelter, sanitation, clean water, health care and essential items.

The relief agencies appealing with DEC are: British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.





Jenny Lee
Ecumenical Press