The current conflict in Darfur is complex, caused by a host of political, social, economic and environmental problems. The result is a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people. CARE is working to help meet their most basic needs, including food, shelter, water and sanitation facilities.
Background
The Darfur conflict erupted in early 2003. Fighting among various factions has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 2 million, most escaping to larger towns where they stay in camps for "internally displaced people," and some crossing the border into Chad, where they live in refugee camps, straining local resources. Attacks on civilians during the conflict have been brutal and include burning homes, killing and rape.
CARE's Work
CARE has worked in Sudan for over two decades. We been active in Darfur since April 2004 and currently provide direct humanitarian assistance to over 526,000 war-affected people there and in neighboring Chad. We operate throughout South and West Darfur, including the cities of Nyala, Kass, Zalingi and surrounding camps. CARE's work includes water and sanitation, community services and distribution of food and other relief items.
Current Projects:
Health and Nutrition Objective: Improve the quality and availability of health care and nutrition services for 85,000 people, predominantly women and children, in the area of Kass and Edd El-Fursan. The project also works to raise awareness around health and nutrition issues.
Violence Against Women Objective: Support initiatives to prevent violence against women and raise awareness around the issue. CARE works with local NGOs and community-based groups in both Darfur and Chad to help them build their capacity to address the issue.
Food Aid Objective: Distribute food to some 300,000 conflict-affected people in Sudan and nearly 56,000 refugees in Chad each month. CARE is one of the largest implementing partners for the United Nations World Food Program in Darfur.
Distribution of Emergency Supplies Objective: Improve the living conditions of displaced and vulnerable people by distributing supplies for shelter and basic needs to 330,000 families throughout Darfur. CARE is the principal organization to receive, store and transport emergency supplies such as blankets, jerrycans and tarps in the Greater Darfur region. We work with other humanitarian agencies to distribute the supplies in camps and communities and monitor their use.
Water and Sanitation Objective: Provide clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education to some 112,500 internally displaced people in Darfur and 56,000 refugees in Chad. CARE is also improving access to water and sanitation services for an additional 75,000 residents of rural communities in the region.
Strengthening Livelihoods Objective: Improve the food security and employment opportunities for 95,000 displaced and vulnerable people. CARE provides farm tools, seeds and training for rural families, creates short-term employment by involving local communities in development projects, helps start savings and loan associations and trains refugees in skills such as baking, soap making and carpentry.
Education and Psychological Support Objective: Provide psychological support to children and adults living in camps
in Darfur and Chad. CARE also runs schools and adult literacy classes in the camps, which, in addition to providing an education, help bolster students' emotional and psychological health.
Advocacy
At the local level, CARE brings different tribes together in village "peace committees" to help rebuild trust and promote cooperation. We also lobby the U.S. Congress for adequate funding for the emergency response, and meet with U.S. and European policymakers to suggest specific policies that will lead to greater long-term stability in the region.
