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Children’s charity to help some of those most in need in Darfur

by Amy Woodyatt | Plan UK
Wednesday, 9 March 2016 14:06 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

FAMILIES fleeing renewed fighting in war-torn Darfur are to get help from global children’s charity Plan UK.

Conflict in the troubled region of Sudan has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, the majority vulnerable women and children.

Numbers of displaced people are increasing at an alarming rate following escalated fighting, with over 100,000 civilians moving from the Jebel Marra area since January.

In North Darfur State alone, those seeking shelter in camps has more than doubled in two weeks to 85,000, resulting in overcrowding.

Kamal Mohammed, Disaster Risk Manager for Plan International says: “Many are traumatized children fleeing the conflict, who have either been victims of violence themselves, or witnesses to violence against close family members. In addition, they are in a situation of increased vulnerability.”

The region has been in a state of humanitarian emergency since 2003.

Living conditions for families are poor, with food, water and shelter in desperate demand , leading to a significant rise in diseases and malnutrition.

Plan aims to respond to this crisis by addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs of the displaced people in Tawila IDP camp in North Darfur, where there are currently no existing sanitation interventions.

The charity is part of Plan International, one of the world’s leading global children’s charities working on safe education, disaster relief and girls’ rights across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Plan will provide water trucking and test water quality to ensure families get safe drinking water supply.

Aid workers for Plan will also construct new emergency latrines, which will benefit around 25,000 people and conduct hygiene awareness sessions for adults and children on improving waste management.

Khamis Bilal, Darfur Program Manager says:  “The situation remains very critical especially for women and children, and Plan is working with other partners on the ground to assess the needs of those who have recently arrived in Tawila.”

“Although emergency supplies have been delivered to the newly displaced, but longer term support will be required as long as it remains unsafe for them to return to their villages.”

Plan has secured more than £75,000 from the START network, a multi-donor pooled rapid response fund that addresses gaps in humanitarian funding.

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