Background

According to the United Nations, 4.7 million people rely on humanitarian assistance in the Darfur region of western Sudan. As many as 300,000 people have been killed and 2.9 million people have been driven into temporary camps as a result of the ongoing conflict between armed groups in the region. The conflict has now entered its fifth year and has been described by the United Nations as one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

The crisis in Darfur has created countless orphans and widows, and brought untold suffering to thousands of families. People are taking refuge in overcrowded, makeshift camps where the need for life-saving aid is desperate. Thousands continue to flee ongoing violence, and the continuing influx of refugees into the camps is placing a huge strain on aid agencies seeking to provide healthcare, water and shelter.

World Vision's response

World Vision is participating in inter-agency assessments in Darfur to determine critical humanitarian gaps that require urgent intervention, and our response will be coordinated with other agencies and local authorities.

World Vision has been working with some of Sudan's most vulnerable people since 2004, supporting the needs of women and children, providing food, water, shelter, medical care, relief supplies, education, and psychosocial support.

The generous support of the Australian public has enabled World Vision to continue to provide support to 1.5 million people in Darfur, Khartoum, and Blue Nile states. In 2008, World Vision's relief efforts included:

• Monthly food rations to more than 300,000 displaced persons in Darfur
• Health and nutrition services provided to 150,000 people in Darfur
• Hygiene education to more than 100,000 people in Darfur
• Water sources provided for approximately 19,000 people in Blue Nile State
• Psychosocial support for more than 10,000 children in Darfur
• Support for 45,000 people in Khartoum State in the areas of agriculture, livelihoods, school feeding, and water and sanitation.
• Support for 65,000 people in Blue Nile State in the areas of agriculture and livelihoods support, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, rehabilitation and recovery.

Many families need help. World Vision is appealing for funds to enable us to continue providing humanitarian emergency relief in Sudan.