Darfur emergency, 2004

1 March 2004

In 2004 a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions developed around the Darfur conflict in Sudan.

An estimated two million people driven from their homes by militia attacks made their way to camps where they faced malnutrition and disease.

Y Care International supported immediate relief efforts through our partner ACT International, which had several partner organisations already on the ground working to meet the most urgent needs of the affected population.

This included the provision of shelter, water, sanitation and basic sleeping and cooking materials to 500,000 displaced people in southern and western Darfur. Food has been provided to tens of thousands of children.

ACT's partners have also been supplying clean water and sanitation to reduce the spread of disease in the camps.

A team of health advisers, working to reach the most vulnerable, particularly children and the elderly, has been able to provide medicine and nutritional advice and carry out rapid needs assessments in hospitals.

Through ACT International more than 253,000 people received plastic sheeting, water cans, blankets and sleeping mats, 11 temporary schools have been constructed and provided with teaching materials, 21 temporary health clinics are operating, and nine community centres have been built.