[ARCHIVED CONTENT] What is DFID doing

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Darfur, Sudan - Background to humanitarian crisis

The current crisis in the Darfur states of western Sudan results from fighting between Darfur-based opposition groups (the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army, SLM/A, and the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM) and the Government of Sudan and its supported militia groups, known more widely as the Janjaweed. In addition to Government supported militias, independent militias are also operating as armed bandits.

Since September 2003, the situation escalated into a more widespread campaign of violence. A mission from the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights visited Darfur in May and reported to the Security Council that they had identified disturbing patterns of massive human rights violations by the Sudanese Government and the Janjaweed militia which may constitute war crimes and/or crimes against humanity. The report speaks of forced displacement, arbitrary killing of civilians, and rape.

Following Chad-brokered negotiations in N'Djamena, Chad, the two main opposition groups and the Government of Sudan signed a 45-day Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on 8 April. Unfortunately both sides have continued to breach the ceasefire.

The UN estimates that this fighting has led to internal displacement of 1.2m people, and a further 180,000 have fled to Chad. Given the security situation and difficulties obtaining visas and travel permits, humanitarian access in Darfur has been poor. This has led to low levels of humanitarian assistance to the affected population. On 3 July, the Government of Sudan and the UN issued a joint communiqué detailing commitments on humanitarian access, security and human rights. The implementation of these commitments has resulted in improved humanitarian access, but the insecurity continues.

The humanitarian situation in Darfur at present is dire, with large numbers of internally displaced people living in camps and host communities with poor water and sanitation and health facilities. Essential food and non-food supplies are intermittent or non-existent and there is considerable risk from communicable disease outbreaks. The rainy season, from May to September has added to these problems, increasing the risk of epidemics and hindering logistics. This is further complicated by the fact that we are now in the traditional 'hungry season' where the wider population traditionally suffers from shortages and food insecurity. These combined factors when twinned with the ongoing conflict, means that the entire Darfur population must be considered as highly vulnerable and at risk of widespread humanitarian suffering.