Sudan's enormous humanitarian needs follow many years of inequitable
development, marginalisation and internal conflicts that have displaced over 6
million Sudanese, including 2 million in Darfur and 2 million in the South, and
left many destitute.
They face human rights abuses, disease and famine. Several
regions in Sudan have suffered devastation, destruction of livelihoods, with
many Sudanese destitute and living in conditions of extreme poverty.
Australia has committed a total of $40 million in emergency assistance to
Sudan since May 2004. Of this $40 million, $30m has been dispersed for the
Darfur crisis in Western Sudan and $6 million for Southern Sudan.
The remaining
$4 million will be allocated later this year following a review of needs across
Sudan.
Main street, Rumbek, Southern Sudan
Australian assistance is helping protect vulnerable populations in the face
of widespread violence and human rights abuse as well as delivering emergency
shelter and household items, nutrition services, food assistance, clean water
supply and improving sanitation.
Australia is actively encouraging and supporting action by the United
Nations and other international agencies and will continue to support
international efforts to end the conflicts and alleviate the suffering and
gross human rights abuses in Sudan.
South Sudan
With the 22 year civil war in the South coming to an end, following the
signing of the North-South comprehensive peace agreement on 9 January 2005, the
many displaced southern Sudanese are preparing to return home. Over 400,000
spontaneous returnees are currently on the move back home, facing great
challenges and risks on the journey, then arrival home to infrastructure
devastation, destroyed livelihoods and severe lack of water, food and
shelter.
Australia's emergency assistance of $6 million to the South has been
channeled through the following agencies:
- $3 million to the United Nations Children's Fund for emergency water
supply and sanitation for southern Sudanese returnees and local communities in
the South. - $3 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance for
southern Sudanese returnees and local communities in the
South.
Darfur Crisis, Western Sudan
Due the ongoing conflict, over 2 million Darfur residents have been forced
from their homes to other parts of Darfur and into neighbouring Chad. They have
fled indiscriminate violence, rape and the deliberate destruction of
livelihoods at the hands of militia. 200,000 Darfuri's are in refugee camps
in Chad. The crisis has also affected up to 1 million local people who shared
their meagre resources with the displaced and then faced crop failure this past
year due to drought.
The Australian Government is deeply concerned about the situation in the
Darfur region and is committed to strong international action by the United
Nations and the African Union to encourage the warring factions to meet their
obligations under the peace and ceasefire agreements.
Australia has contributed a total of $30 million in emergency assistance
since May 2004 through the following agencies:
- $8 million to United Nations Children's Fund for emergency relief needs
of refugees in Chad and internally displaced people in Darfur. - $11.75 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance to
refugees in Chad and internally displaced people in Darfur; transportation of
humanitarian workers and supplies; warehousing and office
infrastructure. - $5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for humanitarian
relief assistance, protection of civilians internally displaced people, and
promotion of international humanitarian law. - $1.75 million to CARE Australia for emergency relief needs of refugees in
Chad and internally displaced people in Darfur. - $1.5 million to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad for emergency relief needs of
refugees in Chad and internally displaced people in Darfur. - $1 million to World Vision Australia, for emergency relief needs of
refugees in Chad and internally displaced people in Darfur. - $500,000 for the placement of Australian protection officers within UN
agencies.
How you can help
Money is the best way to help. The best way for Australians to help is to
make a cash donation to a reputable non-government aid agency that is
supporting the emergency relief efforts in Sudan.
Details on agencies providing assistance to Sudan can be obtained from the
Australian Council for International
Development [external website] or telephone 02 6285 1816 (intl: +61 2 6285 1816).
See also media releases:
- Australia Announces Further Assistance for Sudan at OSLO Donors Conference
- AusAID assists World Vision to deliver aid to Sudan [External website]
- Australia to Help Fly Aid Workers into Sudan
- Australia Boosts Assistance for Sudan by $12 million
- Australia Brings Relief to Sudanese Refugees in Chad
- Australian Aid for Sudanese Refugees
- Humanitarian Assistance for Sudan