The ongoing conflict in the Darfur region in Sudan is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Two hundred thousand people have been killed and more than 2.5 million have been forced from their homes.

Although a peace agreement has been signed, violence is continuing in Sudan.

On 11 April, the country is scheduled to hold its first national multiparty elections since 1986. Many Sudanese fear however that political rivalries will spill over into violence, sparking off new clashes between different ethnic groups.

In 2011, Southern Sudan will then hold an independence referendum, an event highly likely to trigger violence as well.

Caritas responded by providing life-saving assistance and basic services to over 340,000 displaced people in the South and West of Darfur. Caritas has worked in Darfur since the start of the crisis in 2004 with Action for Churches Together, a network of Protestant and Catholic aid agencies, and three local Sudanese partners.

Our multi-million dollar programmes are supported by 60 donor organizations and represent the largest relief operation in many parts of Darfur.

Caritas remained operational in Darfur following the expulsion of 13 international NGOs from Sudan and closure of 3 national NGOs including SUDO, a Caritas partner, in August 2009.

In Southern Sudan, Western and Eastern Equatoria faced a widespread food emergency at the end of 2009. It was caused by two distinct events: consecutive drought cycles in Eastern Equatoria and the massive displacement of people in Western Equatoria caused by brutal attacks from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

In Eastern Equatoria, where more than 100,000 people are in need of assistance just in the area of Ikwoto County, Caritas will provide 10,000 people with food aid, and food for work, while 3,000 families will benefit from a seed distribution. Caritas will provide food, seeds, farming skills, and clean water through Parish networks until harvest in 2010.

In Western Equatoria, where more than 52,000 people are reportedly suffering shortages or a complete absence of food, Caritas will provide food to 25,000 people in Ezo, Tombura and Nagero, which are too remote or dangerous for other aid agencies to work. Shelter and other non food items will be provided to 5,000 households, together with water and Hygiene promotion.

Caritas is also supporting 58,000 Sudanese refugees living in camps in Eastern Chad.