UNICEF's humanitarian response in Darfur, Sudan

NEW YORK (September 28, 2009) — Fighting has flared up recently between Sudanese soldiers and rebels in northern Darfur—a bad sign after a period of relative stability in that region.

Now there is a question whether peace talks, set to continue next month, can have any real impact. The leader of a faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) involved in the latest fighting has indicated he will not participate in the talks.

What is very clear is that children continue to suffer from these clashes and the resulting lawlessness of the region. In Darfur, nearly 700,000 children have grown up knowing nothing but the conflict. UNICEF is continuing to do whatever it can for those children. But the Sudanese government's ongoing suspension of 16 humanitarian organizations means UNICEF resources are inevitably stretched thin.

The situation in Darfur 

• As many as 300,000 people have died in Darfur since the start of the conflict in 2003.
  
• Some 4.7 million people—70 percent of the population—are currently directly affected by the conflict.
  
• More than 2.7 million Darfuri people have been displaced in the last 6 years.

Now, too, fighting has begun to escalate in southern Sudan among ethnic groups, militias and security forces. Families have been forced to flee their homes as rival groups wreak havoc. With civilians displaced by conflict in both the south and north, UNICEF continues to urge the Sudanese government to let its vital partners return to the country and resume their humanitarian work. In the meantime, UNICEF is doing everything possible to plug the gaps left by their departure.

Threats to humanitarian programs

Following the March 4 suspension of 16 humanitarian organizations, UNICEF and its UN partners are, fortunately, able to continue operating in Sudan and are doing everything they can to fill crucial gaps. But the departure of the aid organizations represents a 40 percent reduction in the entire humanitarian workforce—and a vast loss of expertise and capability. These organizations are invaluable partners, and UNICEF is urging their prompt return.

Disruptions in the provision of clean water, health care, and food have made the struggle for survival in Sudan even more desperate. UNICEF reports that up to 1.3 million people in the south of the country are expected to lose their food supplies this year.  Children are particularly at risk of malnutrition and disease as food sources dwindle and illnesses go untreated.

UNICEF's humanitarian relief activities in Sudan

© UNICEF Sudan/2006/Georgina Cranston

Eighteen month old Bahr Eldeen receives treatment for malnutrition at the UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding center in Al Geneina Hospital, West Darfur.

UNICEF has maintained a significant humanitarian operation in Darfur since the crisis began. Over the years, UNICEF has helped scores of children and families with lifesaving supplies and initiatives. Highlights from UNICEF's 2008 programs include:

• Supporting the provision of clean water to more than 530,000 people for the first time, and maintaining existing supplies for more than 452,000 people.
• Distributing over 337,000 anti-malarial bed nets.
• Immunization campaigns that protected over 120,000 children against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough and more than 1.6 million children against polio.
• Constructing or repairing of classrooms to benefit more than 80,000 children and delivery of school supplies for more than 203,000 children. 
• Supplying vitamin A supplements to more than 1.4 million children under the age of five.
  

In recent months, UNICEF has increased humanitarian relief activities in Sudan and is working around the clock to help ensure children do not suffer from the suspension of the 16 humanitarian organizations. 

To meet immediate needs throughout Sudan, UNICEF has drilled new wells, built latrines, distributed a wide range of vital supplies—including vaccines, medicines, surgical equipment, health kits, and therapeutic food—and provided funding to keep some health clinics and feeding centers open. UNICEF has also trained health workers and supported efforts to identify and protect children who have been separated from their families.

Ongoing challenges for women and children in Darfur 

© UNICEF/2008/McBride

Nomad children collect water from a hand pump installed by UNICEF near Abu Shouk camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP), El Fasher, North Darfur.

Despite the tireless work of UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies in Darfur, the condition of women and children remains highly vulnerable. In the last 2 years, the rate of acute malnutrition has been above what is considered the emergency threshold. This year's "hunger gap"—the period from June to August when communities' coping mechanisms are weakest—is predicted to be especially difficult.

Security remains a key concern in Darfur with an increase in kidnappings, banditry, assaults and carjackings. These attacks target the Darfuri people as well as humanitarian workers. As of end June 2009, 59 humanitarian vehicles had been hijacked or stolen during the year, 13 convoys attacked, 92 humanitarian compounds broken into, and 6 humanitarian workers killed—all impacting the provision of vital services.† The continued insecurity, coupled with the suspension of the 16 aid organizations, mean Sudanese people—who have already suffered beyond descriptuion—must struggle even harder to survive.

Please consider supporting UNICEF's efforts in Sudan, as we work to fill the gaps left by the ouster of our valuable partners.

† Data provided by OCHA, as at end June 2009.

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