The situation in Dafur, Sudan

[Treasure the Questions]

As Sharp brought the matter up on the Trade Justice thread, I thought I'd post a bit about how aid is being given to the refugees in Dafur.

I found this on the Christian Aid website:
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[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Continued heavy rains make it difficult to reach some areas by road, but aid is getting through.The World Food Programme has begun dropping food by air to reach people who have been cut off by the rains.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sanitation
Sanitation in camps is a high priority for our partners, as overcrowding is increasing the likelihood of disease.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hepatitis E - which can be fatal if not contained - has already broken out in some camps, though not as yet in the camps where our partners are working.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][Christian Aid] partners have begun a massive operation to dig 100 latrines a week, as 100 latrines can provide sanitation for 2,500 people.Our partners are also providing: [/font]

• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]handpumps[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]plastic sheeting for shelters[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]basic survival kits[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]soap [/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]blankets [/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]metal cans for carrying water [/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]qualified engineers to help with access to water.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][Christian Aid] partners have obtained permission to import a new drilling rig which they will use throughout the Darfur region to drill up to 100 boreholes for clean water. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A new team of water and sanitation engineers is in Zalingei, assisting displaced people with water, latrine construction and health promotion.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]An ACT/Caritas team are working with UNICEF to distribute supplies to emergency medical clinics constructed by ACT/Caritas, they have distributed medical supplies to 99,000 people so far. [/font]

Unfortunately the news is not all good:

Situation update
Attacks on villages are still being reported throughout Darfur, where thousands of people have been killed and more than one million have been forced to flee from their homes. The ACT/Caritas team have received local reports of renewed fighting around Nyala in southern Darfur. The number of displaced people in Mujaheria, outside Nyala, has recently doubled.
[Chritian Aid] partners are conducting needs assessments in this area and will provide clean water and latrines as soon as they can obtain security clearance.

To read more about the situation at the moment go here: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/world/where/eagl/sudan/040903upd_darfur.htm

Karin
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[Sharp]

Yes, this is great. God bless.