West Darfur, Sudan
Situation Report
The United Nations has called Darfur the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. When the Sudanese government ended an enforced cease-fire in December of 2003, the security situation in Darfur quickly deteriorated. The “janjaweed” militias have terrorized civilians, destroyed villages and forced millions to flee their homes.
Currently, 3.8 million people have been affected by the conflict in Sudan. An estimated 1.9 million people are internally displaced and approximately 220,000 are living as refugees in eastern Chad. The UN is pushing for a peaceful resolution, but successful agreements between the militias and the government have yet to be made. A peace agreement in 2006 between one rebel group and the Sudanese government exacerbated tensions instead of reducing them.
According to the World Health Organization's report in 2007, one third of the population where Medical Teams International works is without access to primary health services. Protection, shelter, health care, food security and water and sanitation are the most pressing priorities.
Our Work
Medical Teams International sent 5 disaster relief teams to Sudan in 2004-05 and one volunteer team in 2005-06. During 2007, we deployed one team in collaboration with the Global Relief Alliance (GRA). Increased security breaches have prevented us from sending additional volunteers and staff to the area the last two years.
In partnership with the GRA and in-country staff, we operate a multi-sectoral intervention that focuses on health, hygiene, water and sanitation, food security/livelihood issues and nutrition. Medical Teams International is currently supporting the health care needs of 60,000 people in three communities outside of El Geneina, West Darfur. These villages are called Um Tagouk, Sanidadi and Azirni.
We also are training medical assistants and community health promoters. Training includes malaria treatment protocols, sanitation and hygiene, control of diarreheal disease and clinic management. With few relief agencies assisting Um Tagouk, Sandidadi and Azirni districts, this training is greatly needed.
Future Plans
Medical Teams International will continue working in partnership with the GRA to provide health services to people living in West Darfur. We plan to deploy 5 medical teams during 2008-09 if security allows. These teams will provide direct health care services to internally displaced people (IDP) and host populations and will train community health workers to monitor and address prevalent health care concerns.
Medical Teams International sent 5 disaster relief teams to Sudan in 2004-05 and one volunteer team in 2005-06. During 2007, we deployed one team in collaboration with the Global Relief Alliance (GRA). Increased security breaches have prevented us from sending additional volunteers and staff to the area the last 2 years. Medical Teams International will continue working in partnership with the GRA to provide health services to people living in West Darfur. We plan to deploy 5 medical teams during 2008-09 if security allows. These teams will provide direct health care services to internally displaced people (IDP) and host populations and will train community health workers to monitor and address prevalent health care concerns. Medical Teams International sent 5 disaster relief teams to Sudan in 2004-05 and one volunteer team in 2005-06. During 2007, we deployed one team in collaboration with the Global Relief Alliance (GRA). Increased security breaches have prevented us from sending additional volunteers and staff to the area the last 2 years.
This year, our health care programs will:
- Work to improve the health and nutrition of the general population through collaborative hygiene education and behavior change programs.
- Support Ministry of Health clinics with medical supplies and health staff.
- Provide primary health care training to key beneficiaries, including traditional birth attendants, clinic-based Ministry of Health officers and medical assistants.
- The GRA received a $1.4 million OFDA grant in August 2007, to fund relief programming in Darfur.
Read more about how we plan to use this grant »
Our Partners
- Medical Teams International is a member of the Global Relief Alliance (GRA), a six-member consortium responding to the humanitarian crisis in El Geneina, Darfur. This collaborative effort combines technical skills and expertise from leading nonprofit organizations in order to maximize our efforts. This year, the GRA intends to introduce new programs and expand work while maintaining the community's acceptance and trust.
- The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) has been active in relief and emergency response internationally for more than 40 years. CRWRC is a bi-national agency (Canada/USA) with a USA headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. CRWRC’s International Relief Team is responsible for the implementation of relief programs worldwide. The relief team staff has substantial experience and expertise in food distribution, sanitation, disaster mitigation, microenterprise and training.
- Food for the Hungry was founded in 1971 and focuses on poverty issues related to food and nutrition, HIV and AIDS education, water and sanitation and community capacity building. Food for the Hungry recognizes the dignity, creativity and ability of the poor and partners with them to develop long-term solutions for their struggles.
- MAP International was founded more than 50 years ago and has become a world leader in receiving and distributing donated medicines and medical supplies to the developing world. The agency provides essential medicines through a network of hospitals, clinics and community and relief center dispensaries in over 120 countries. MAP has successfully distributed over $1.8 billion worth of medicines and medical supplies since 1954.
- World Concern is an international relief and development organization based in Seattle, Washington, serving the neediest people around the world since 1955. World Concern operates in 23 countries and ships medical supplies to 17 countries. They have implemented more than 50 programs in health care and training, microenterprise, veterinary and agricultural training, vocational training and relief services to communities in need.
- World Relief was founded in 1944 to assist the victims of World War II. Today, World Relief provides relief, development and economic opportunity in more than 26 countries around the world and in the USA. World Relief has full registration from the Government of Sudan (GoS), as well as a signed country agreement. WR has also established strong working relationships with GoS officials in both Khartoum and El Geneina and has been able to operate without facing significant government restrictions.
RELATED LINKS