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Darfur: An Unremitting Crisis

"the largest humanitarian crisis in the world"
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, referring to the situation in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region

Field Update
Life in the IDP Camps
Seyama's Story
Life in the Camps of Darfur

The Conflict
The conflict between the Sudan government and rebels began in 2003, and continues until today. The United Nations estimates 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes since the crisis began. Many of these displaced victims continue to live in squalid conditions in overcrowded refugee camps inside Sudan and in the neighboring country of Chad.

Atrocities continue to be committed, with villages being looted and women being raped. The escalation in violence has also pushed displaced people across the border into refugee camps in eastern Chad.

Lack of Aid
The United Nations has estimated that the fighting has left half a million people in Darfur cut off from aid. In recent months the number of attacks on aid convoys and workers has risen dramatically and many agencies are no longer able to deliver humanitarian relief.

Internally displaced people living in the many refugee camps in the country have been the worst-affected by the aid shortages as they have little access to food, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation. Attacks on aid workers and camp residents have also increased, with women particularly vulnerable to violent assault and rape.

The camps for displaced people have become a symbol of the Darfur conflict. There are now approximately 200 camps in the region, some near the border with Chad, others near major towns and cities. The Kerinding II camp in West Darfur was established by Islamic Relief in 2004 and is home to almost 10,000 people.

Islamic Relief has provided over $3.7 million of aid assistance in its efforts to ease the suffering of the victims. Islamic Relief's projects for the displaced population in Darfur includes: water and sanitation, healthcare, education, and distribution of food.

Islamic Relief also trains women in building fuel-efficient stoves, reducing the time women spend outside of the camp's safety looking for firewood, consequently decreasing the chance of rape or attack.