emergency relief in darfur, sudan

A burst of color, a ray of hope in Darfur
In Darfur’s western capital city of El Geneina, everything is brown: the airport runway, the dirt roads, the buildings, the desert.

Things are pretty dismal. Members of the Janjaweed militia raid the villages on their horses, camels or four-wheel-drive trucks loaded with automatic weapons. They are notorious for abducting, raping and murdering Darfur’s civilians. And they go unhindered by police or government soldiers.

But almost defiantly, as if in protest of everything that is bleak and appalling, the women in the city dress in bright, magnificent colors. They go about their daily chores quietly, gathering water at a well or shoveling clay into sacks so they can make bricks later. They smile at passersby and murmur polite greetings in Arabic. And amid continued killings, their colorful attire stand out, giving the city some sense of hope.

And so does the Darfur Relief Collaboration, of which Food for the Hungry is a member. The partnership provides basic necessities such as food, water and medical care for thousands internally displaced families in the war-torn region of Darfur. Through the work of the Darfur Relief Collaboration, God is breathing hope into the city. Every day, children come to the water points to play. Their laughter fills the air. Women gather to fill their jars with clean water. And they go about their daily chores wearing their colors of hope.

This article originally appeared in the CRWRC Web site.

PHOENIX, AZ, May 8, 2006—Darfur, a region in Western Sudan, has been called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis by the United Nations. The statistics are daunting. Since February 2003, 1.7 million have been internally displaced, 220,000 have fled into neighboring countries, and over 200,000 have died in the three-year conflict. President Bush recently announced an increase in US emergency food shipments to the region and has asked Congress to approve $225m in aid. He also stated he would send a secretary of state to the UN Security Council to assist with peace-keeping efforts.

Food for the Hungry is in Darfur, partnering with four other Christian organizations, including World Relief, World Concern, Northwest Medical Teams, and MAP International, to bring hope and peace to individuals, families and communities in the midst of instability, fear and despair.

The partnership is called the Darfur Relief Collaboration (DRC) and it includes responding to this devastating crisis through the following:

Water and Sanitation
Building latrines and wells is providing clean water and sanitation. Over 80,000 will have access to clean water supplies in Um Tagouk, Sanidadi, and Azirni. In addition, thousands of latrines have been built and distributed, helping communities begin to live healthier, meeting the basic needs of thousands.

Food for the Hungry is bringing the love and hope of Christ to Sudan. Would you prayerfully consider joining us to reach out to help those displaced in Darfur, Sudan? Donate now to make a difference!
Nutrition
Supplementary feeding programs are restoring health to thousands. Over 9,000 people, including pregnant mothers, women of child-bearing age, and children under five have graduated from the program and have since made dramatic improvements toward a healthy weight. The DRC is working closely with local staff to mobilize community participation.

Agriculture/Food Security
Tools and education are helping individuals and families produce crops in unfamiliar lands. Over 10,000 households will receive seeds, hoes, plows and other supplies to help build up their land. In addition, over 1,000 people from four villages were provided with and trained to use fuel-efficient stoves, cutting cooking time by 40 percent, and giving many an additional income with unused wood.

Health/Hygiene
Health clinics in Um Tagouk and Sanidadi train local health workers and treat nearly 100 patients each day, helping children and families survive. Hygiene training also encourages the use of clean water, preventative health practices, and other good hygiene practices. As people adopt these practices, families and communities become healthier.

Food for the Hungry is bringing the love and hope of Christ to Sudan. Would you prayerfully consider joining Food for the Hungry to reach out to help those displaced in Darfur, Sudan? Donate now to make a difference!