Darfur remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Now in its fifth year, there is no end in sight to the suffering of civilians. More than 200,000 people have died in the conflict since 2003 and more than 2.5 million have been driven from their homes. People continue to be uprooted by ongoing violence and chaos—increasing the number of arrivals at already overcrowded displacement camps. Attacks on relief workers have also escalated, making it harder to deliver critical aid to hundreds of thousands of people dependent on international assistance for survival.

Across the border in Chad, the 250,000 refugees who sought safety there are losing hope of returning home any time soon. The International Rescue Committee has called on all parties to commit to a ceasefire and engage in sustained dialogue. In the meantime, the IRC continues to be a lifeline to some 800,000 people from Darfur, maintaining one of the largest humanitarian aid programs in the region. We:

• Support five camp-based primary health care facilities in Darfur and many smaller clinics that treat 1,500 patients a day. We also train doctors, midwives and community health workers.
  
• Provide clean drinking water, sanitation services and health and hygiene education to reduce water-born diseases and prevent the spread of disease.
  
• Educate and protect thousands of children every day through 83 “child-friendly spaces” where IRC-trained teachers offer young people educational, healing and recreational activities in safe and nurturing environments.
  
• Run nine Women’s Community Centers in Darfur that provide emotional support services, skills building workshops and medical referrals to thousands of women and girls, many of them survivors of sexual violence.
  
• Operate six Justice and Confidence Centers where paralegal volunteers provide legal advice. We also train community leaders, law enforcement personnel, village elders and leaders of local organizations on human rights and refugee law.
  
• Manage a camp in northeastern Chad for 26,000 refugees from Darfur, providing shelter, medical care, school programs, youth activities, clean water, sanitation and other basic services.
  
• Advocate for the people of Darfur, raising awareness about their plight and protection needs and pressing for international engagement to forge a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Resources

Printable Fact Sheet: Darfur [PDF]

Special Report: Darfur - Growing Violence