CARE International urges action on six points for Darfur

4 October 2004

Insecurity in Darfur is increasing, leaving victims of violence more vulnerable and desperate. CARE and other agencies are delivering life-saving assistance but displaced people continue to pour into camps faster than systems can be set up to help them.

CARE is calling for the following actions: · The Government of Sudan must bring an immediate end to atrocities and further displacement of people. · The African Union, with the endorsement of the United Nations, must substantially increase the number of monitors, and expand their mandate to protect civilians. · The international community must increase financial and logistical support for African Union monitors and protection forces. · The United Nations must maintain pressure on the Government of Sudan and rebel groups to ensure humanitarian access to people in need. · Donors must honour commitments to provide adequate humanitarian assistance. There is a severe shortfall. 
 
International and regional governments must support the Sudanese peace talks, which resume next week in Naivasha, Kenya. If implemented correctly, these agreements offer the best hope of lasting peace for all Sudanese. During September, fighting between government and rebels intensified, and banditry increased. This insecurity forced more people to flee their homes, causing a continued influx of people into South Darfur in particular. People are afraid to return home. Despite an agreement signed by the Government of Sudan that people will not be forced to return, there is no guarantee for their safety. Security must be ensured so that people can voluntarily choose when and if to go home. In some cases, tension between displaced people and government officials is increasing.

All of these factors make it difficult for many Darfuris to receive the assistance they need. ‘People are traumatised by the atrocities they have suffered, and their living conditions are grim,’ said Geoffrey Chege, CARE International regional director for east and central Africa, who recently visited Darfur. ‘Women are so afraid of rape that they dread going for firewood and water. Male relatives cannot escort them for fear they will be killed. They seek increased protection where they are staying. It is appalling that their situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon. We must do everything possible to provide adequate food, sanitation and shelter now. We appeal to governments and those with resources to provide security so people can live without fear and, ultimately, feel confident in the protection offered to return home and rebuild their lives.’

About CARE International in Darfur: CARE is distributing food for 400,000 people in South and West Darfur; delivering plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets, water containers and soap for aid agencies to distribute to 400,000 people in Darfur; providing water and latrines for 53,000 people in South Darfur; and running a therapeutic feeding centre in Nyala, South Darfur. In Chad, CARE is managing four refugee camps, including distribution of food and non-food items, providing assistance to roughly 80,000 refugees. CARE has been working in Sudan since 1979, and is continuing its development work throughout the country.

About CARE International: CARE is one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations fighting global poverty in more than 70 countries. CARE helps communities improve their quality of life through projects in agriculture and natural resources, economic development, education, food, health, water and sanitation and emergency response. For more information, please visit www.careinternational.org.uk

For more information, please contact: Cynthia Gaigals, email:Cynthia@care.or.ke; tel: +254 733 615515 Kate Bulbulian, senior press officer, UK, email:bulbulian@ciuk.org; tel: +44 (0)20 7934 9347 Amber Meikle, press officer, UK, email:meikle@ciuk.org; tel: +44 207 934 9348