Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service)- “The situation in Darfur is unbearable” Caritas Italy said in a report to Fides underlining the urgent need for decisive intervention on the part of the international community to put an end to the suffering caused to civilians in this western region of Sudan. “The latest UN resolution to put sanctions on the Sudanese government unless it stops the violence, is a break through. It also asked the General Secretary to set up a commission to investigate violation of international law and human rights and Security Council member States to provide funds for a larger African Union peacekeeping force to protect civilians. In fact while the international community discusses what to do people continue to die, an average of 10,000 a month according to the World Health Organisation, and to remain without a home or concrete prospects of ever returning to their villages” Caritas Italy reports.
In recent weeks another 5,000 people abandoned their homes and are now living in the open. Caritas warns that it is dangerous for them to collect firewood and that an alternative must be found. In collaboration with Action by Churches network of Orthodox and Protestant churches, Caritas Italy hopes to collect 14 million Euro to help 500,000 people in three specific areas: Zelingi, in Hassa Hissa camps in the town of Zelingi and soon in camps in Dileij, Garsila and Umkher; Ta’asha, camps in Hashaba (1,360 families), Bashum (1,986 families), Borgy (1.975 families) and Belil B; Kubum, camps at Kubum (30,000 ), Um Labassa (13,000) and Dagadoussa (2,873).
Four areas of intervention:
Health Care: Open three health centres in Kubum, Um Labassa and Dagadoussa, and 12 more.
Sanitation: sanitation in Zelingi, Hassa Hissa camps, in Ta’asha and for hygiene education committees in Hashaba camp and Bashum camp. To improve hygiene, a problem everywhere, wells are being built and pumps repaired.
Food aid: distribution of cereals, oil and sugar for 300 children under 3 suffering from malnutrition in Hashaba camp and similar interventions in zone Ta’asha, Zelingi and Kubum.
Non food aid: distribution of tents, water cans, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, and soap for 200 new arrivals in Hashaba camp, and 576 people in Bashum camp. More than 2,000 cooking utensil sets were distributed in Bashum camp, tents and water cans at Wadhi Salik, near Zelingi. And there are plans to build 300 huts in Belil B camp.
Caritas is also assisting some 190,000 refugees from Darfur in Chad, mostly in 10 camps. Caritas N’djamena diocese is in charge of three camps: Farchana, Kounougou and Touloum caring for a total of 38,865 refugees. Caritas Internationalis is helping to provide schooling for children and non food aid including seeds and vaccine for animals. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2004 righe 46 parole 591)
