MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australian aid of $3 million for victims of the conflict in Sudan.
This is in addition to the $5 million to help displaced people in Darfur, southwest Sudan, which I announced on 17 May.
The Australian Government's latest contribution is for emergency humanitarian assistance for Sudanese in refugee camps in eastern Chad.
It's estimated up to 200,000 Sudanese are now in camps in eastern Chad. Our funding will help meet their most urgent needs, including health, shelter, food and water and sanitation.
One and a half million dollars will be used for UNICEF activities and $500,000 each is being allocated through World Vision, Care International and Oxfam, all of which have mounted emergency programs in the camps.
Australians can be proud of our timely and generous response to calls for humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable populations in Sudan and now the victims sheltering across the border in Chad.
Our capacity to help victims within Sudan is limited because humanitarian agencies are finding it difficult to obtain the necessary visas and travel permits.
Humanitarian needs in Darfur and eastern Chad continue to grow as attacks and atrocities against the civilian population continue. The UN Security Council approved on 11 June 2004 a resolution urging an immediate halt to violence in Darfur.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126