In Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region, an estimated 180,000 civilians have been killed and 2.3 million have been displaced from their homes since conflict began in 2003.

Government-backed militia and rebel groups signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2005. However, civilians continue to be terrorized by these groups.

In February, 50,000 people from a World Vision settlement for displaced persons in Mershing were forced to flee. Armed militia on horses and camels invaded the settlement, stole supplies, and ruined facilities.

Civilians fled to Manawashi, where World Vision operates another settlement for displaced persons. The long walk in cold weather with little access to food or safe water caused health problems for many people.

World Vision is There
World Vision went into immediate action. To accommodate the influx of people at Manawashi, staff members:

• Set up 200 communal latrines and 18 bathing sites.
• Increased the water supply to 500,000 litres a day from 120,000 litres a day.
• Distributed school supplies to hundreds of students.

More than 60 health staff from three mobile clinics responded to the dire medical needs of the people from Mershing. People had to be treated for gunshot wounds and sexual abuse. Health staff also helped mothers through their deliveries and miscarriages.

World Vision's nutrition team screened 2,000 children for malnutrition and admitted more than 100 to the clinics for treatment.

Since the beginning of January, 10,000 displaced people in the settlement received food rations consisting of cereals, corn, soya, vegetable oil, salt, and sugar.

World Vision has re-opened nutrition centres in the Mershing settlement and many civilians are slowly returning from Manawashi.

What You Can Do
You can help World Vision provide food and emergency relief items to the people of Darfur. Click here to donate.