The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been working in Sudan since 1978. In 2003, it extended its operations to Darfur to help the people there suffering from the effects of armed conflict and other violence. So far this year, the ICRC has helped more than a million people in Sudan.<\/p>\n
“We’ve scaled-up our emergency response because of rising violence in Darfur, where people face increased hardship,” said Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the Red Cross delegation in Sudan. “We’ve brought vital assistance to violence-affected areas.”<\/p>\n
The ICRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society have been working hard to deliver relief rapidly. Inter-communal clashes in Jebel ‘Amer in North Darfur caused thousands to flee in January and February. The two organisations jointly distributed 1,600 tons of food, blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, clothes, buckets, soap and kitchen utensils to more than 124,000 people, both the displaced and their host communities. As people wounded in Jebel ‘Amer reached hospitals in El Sareif, Saraf Omra, El Geneina and El Fashir, the ICRC provided the hospitals with medical supplies.<\/p>\n
The Red Cross worked with the Sudanese Red Crescent to help people in the flood-stricken Nile Valley, where thousands were left homeless in August. The two organisations distributed household and shelter items to over 30,000 people in Khartoum and Blue Nile states, and in the northern regions of Dongola, Meroe and Wadi Halfa. An emergency water system for 5,800 people was set up in Al Gezera state, and 10 hand pumps were installed to supply drinking water for the population of Jebel Awliya, south of Khartoum.<\/p>\n
Darfur has seen not only increased violence but also a surge in crime. In August, unknown armed men seized eight Red Cross staff in Central Darfur. While they were all released within two weeks, their two lorries have still not been recovered. “Incidents like this have an effect on the humanitarian work we do for people who are suffering,” said Mr Sandoz. “We are grateful to the government authorities, and the tribal and community leaders who helped bring about the release of our colleagues.”<\/p>\n
While Darfur remained the focus of the ICRC’s action, access to conflict-stricken areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan states remains pending. “We have offered to carry out an impartial assessment of the needs in these areas, and to provide relief to the people most severely affected,” said Mr Sandoz. “So far, however, we have not been granted access there”.<\/p>\n
File photo: Two Sudanese children next to an ICRC vehicle (ICRC)<\/em><\/p>\n
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