The closure of 16 aid agencies in Darfur has cut off supplies of humanitarian assistance sustaining approximately 1.5 million people displaced by the conflict. Aid groups that remain in Darfur have described the resulting situation as catastrophic, with recent outbreaks of meningitis causing hundreds of deaths and threatening many more lives.
An assessment of all three Darfur states last week revealed that the expulsion of aid agencies has left troubling gaps for 4.7 million Darfuris in crucial areas such as food, health, shelter, water, and sanitation.
For example, the Sudanese government, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and national NGOs are supplying over 850,000 people with potable water. In a mere matter of weeks, however, the materials required to provide this invaluable resource will be exhausted, and sanitary facilities will need maintenance to prevent disease outbreaks.
In March and April, the UN World Food Program will make a one-time distribution to meet the food needs of 1.1 million people. As the rainy season approaches, the availability of shelter and food supplies for hundreds of thousands of people will be compromised. MADRE’s partner organization in Sudan, Zenab for Women in Development, has long provided assistance for women and families in Darfur and, together, we will monitor the situation closely to continue to provide support.
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