Crisis in Darfur, Sudan and Chad
More than 3.5 million affected and 2 million people displaced
Situation Overview
For more than three years, conflict between the Sudanese government and armed opposition groups in Sudan's western region of Darfur has resulted in what has been called one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Of Darfur's population of approximately 7 million, it is estimated that more than 3.5 million people have been affected by the continued violence-lacking access to basic essential needs such as food, water and shelter. At least 2 million people have been displaced from their homes.
In addition, more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into neighboring Chad. Hundreds of thousands have been killed as a direct result of the violence, as combatants are not distinguishing between civilian and military targets. Due to the complexity of the situation, it is difficult to determine exactly how many people have been affected.
With the health and security of millions endangered, continued hostilities hamper the ability of the humanitarian community to provide assistance to those in need. Compounding the already dire situation, local populations' access to their land for the upcoming planting season could be restricted due to ongoing conflict-impacting livelihoods and increasing the number of people dependant on food assistance.
Ongoing violence continues to raise concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation and the immediate needs of refugees as well as internally displaced persons. Population movements within Sudan and into Chad are placing greater stress on the impoverished communities where refuge is being sought and on the limited natural resources available in these areas.
Indiscriminate attacks on civilians, rape, the destruction of property, disappearances and forced displacement all compromises the safety and security of the population. In addition to the ongoing violence, factors such as the region's geography and weather complicate efforts to deliver aid to those affected by the conflict. Providing food, water, shelter and basic supplies such as cooking supplies and medicine continues to be a challenge for aid organizations. Increased attacks on humanitarian workers also create obstacles in the delivery of assistance.
Movement Response
American Red Cross
American Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter with other delegates from the organization visit the east Africa region, including Sudan, Chad and (pictured) Ethiopia to help raise awareness of the humanitarian toll the crises in this region has taken on local populations. McElveen-Hunter is shown how to use a hand pump that was built in partnership by the American Red Cross and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society while visiting Zeway, Ethiopia. (Photo Credit: American Red Cross)
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An American Red Cross delegation, including American Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, visited the region recently. The delegation visited camps in Chad sheltering Darfuri refugees in November 2006.
The main goal of the trip was to use the first-hand accounts of the delegates to raise awareness in the United States to build support for the various emergency responses in the eastern Africa region, such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's (Movement) response. It also served to sharpen the focus on the humanitarian needs of the people being affected in Sudan and Chad, while other organizations are concentrating visibility efforts on the political aspects of the situation.
Thanks to generous public support, the American Red Cross has been able to send staff to the region to help set up and manage a camp for refugees fleeing Darfur. In 2004, the American Red Cross sent a delegate to help establish one of the camps managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) in Chad.
The American Red Cross continues to work in Chad and Sudan, supporting the Movement's efforts in the affected countries. The American Red Cross has supported the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 2006 Annual Appeal for Darfur by providing $242,000 for relief and development activities there.
The International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is leading the Movement's efforts in Sudan through its largest operation worldwide, with approximately 2,000 staff in the field.
The ICRC's priority in Darfur is to ensure that people directly affected by the armed conflict are protected in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and receive medical care, emergency aid and basic assistance to preserve their livelihoods and re-establish family links.
In the past year, the ICRC has reunited 36 families and delivered more than 19,000 Red Cross messages throughout Sudan. In Darfur specifically, it distributed more than 19,000 tons of food each month to approximately 177,000 people, provided essential household items to nearly 22,500 families, assisted 23,700 households with staple seeds, tools and ploughs and regularly supplied 99,000 internally displaced persons in four camps with clean, safe drinking water.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) launched an appeal for nearly $17 million (US) for its programming in 2006 and 2007 in Chad. In addition to general camp management, the Federation focuses its assistance on basic health services, distribution of food and other supplies, water and sanitation and other community services.
The Federation has been working with the Red Cross of Chad since 2003 in areas where refugee populations from Darfur have settled, and where they have managed two refugee camps, Tréjine and Bréjine, with 45,000 residents combined. Since the start of this year, more than 54,000 Sudanese refugees and vulnerable local residents have received assistance through the Federation and the Red Cross of Chad.
A Coordinated Effort
The American Red Cross role in responding to an international disaster is different from its response to a disaster in the United States. It works in a coordinated manner with many global partners, taking into consideration how the organization can provide unique, specialized assistance in the areas where it can best help.
The American Red Cross works alongside the other Red Cross societies from around the world, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (also known as the Federation) helps coordinate the response efforts of the various societies to minimize a duplication of efforts and ensure coverage of relief needs.
How to Support the Relief Efforts
Donate to the International Response Fund
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation:
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations.
About Offers to Volunteer
While the American Red Cross deeply appreciates the compassion and generosity of those who offer to volunteer internationally, the organization maintains a specially-trained team of relief workers experienced with responding to international disasters of this nature.
The American Red Cross does not anticipate a need for additional international volunteers at this time.
The Red Cross is a volunteer led and driven organization that responds to domestic disasters - big and small - on a daily basis. Red Cross volunteers help their neighbors recover from the so-called "silent disasters" such as house fires that don't make headlines even though they can be as devastating to the victims as large scale disasters. Red Cross volunteers also may register with their local chapters for deployment to help with relief efforts in response to large-scale (regional or national) disasters such as hurricanes.
To get involved and learn more about becoming a domestic volunteer, contact your local chapter.
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Please remember that the American Red Cross is not able to accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief supplies. The decision to transport bulk donations from the U.S. is based solely on the needs identified by the relief operation and the availability of local resources.
If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, and are able provide shipping and transportation for your donation, please contact your local Red Cross chapter to further discuss whether your donation matches the need of the relief operation.
Inquiries
Media Inquiries
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements.
Public Inquiries (or Comments)
Non-media, public requests including private citizens, businesses or students:
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