In February 2003, rebels from Sudan's Darfur region demanded that the government end the economic marginalization of their ethnic groups. The rebels abducted civilians, looted commercial trucks, and attacked police stations and government buildings.

The Sudanese government and their allied militia, the Janjaweed , responded with attacks on the rebels and communities perceived to be supporting them.

Village by village, the Janjaweed made its way across Darfur, executing and maiming civilians, looting and torching lands and destroying livestock, food, wells, and pumps.

To date, tens of thousands have been killed and more than 1.5 million people have been displaced .

World Vision is There
In June 2004, World Vision activated its Global Response Team to help thousands of displaced civilians find refuge in camps within Sudan and across the border in Chad.

World Vision's work in Darfur includes:

• Operating in 22 camps for displaced people
• Distributing food and operating supplementary feeding centres
• Providing clean water and sanitation services, such as boreholes, hand pumps, drainage, and latrines
• Running Child Friendly Spaces
• Operating primary health-care clinics and providing information on health and nutrition
• Supporting temporary schools
• Operating women’s support services