OCHA, April 20, 2006 - A total of 3.5 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. A massive relief operation has resulted in a dramatic reduction of morbidity and mortality rates since 2004, and has effectively prevented large outbreaks of disease.

More than 14,000 national and international relief workers are assisting the conflict affected population, working for 84 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as 13 United Nations agencies. However, in addition to major funding shortfalls and a significant reduction in access due to rising insecurity, the humanitarian community has been facing an increasing level of Government restrictions, depriving the civilian population of Darfur of much-needed assistance. These restrictions threaten the humanitarian operations in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan. (Source: OCHA, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

The humanitarian crisis in Darfur – one of the poorest regions of Sudan - has become the worst in the world since hostilities broke out in February 2003, according to the UN. The situation is still extremely worrying and most experts warn that it could deteriorate further. It is estimated that between 180,000 and 300,000 people have died as a result of this conflict.

About 1,8 million people have been displaced inside Darfur, and more than 200,000 people have fled across the border into Chad. Serious violations of human rights have been reported by the UN and human rights organisations.

Relief organisations are still facing problems reaching people in need, due to insecurity, poor road infrastructure, the size of the territory affected (roughly equivalent to France), and the ongoing rainy season. Therefore, according to the United Nations, needs in most sectors (food, shelter, clean water, primary health care) are only being partially met.

Read more about the conflict on AlertNet - Darfur at a glance

Drilling in Darfur

The main goal of the project is to provide 10,000 conflict affected populations (IDPs and resident populations) in Jebel Moon with safe and potable drinking water.

The sub-goals of the project are:

- Increased and improved access to safe water for 10,000 people;
- Enhanced water infrastructure in Kulbus Locality.

Indicators:

- 20 new boreholes drilled and installed with hand pumps;
- 20 villages with newly constructed water point with 500 users/borehole;
- Beneficiary households accessing 15 litres/person per day of safe water.

Time frame:

July - December 2007

In 2004, IAS recieved funding from SCF-US and Swedish Mission Council/Sida for drilling of 50 boreholes in El Geneina in Western Darfur State. Additional funding was also recieved from Läkarmissionen (SWEDEN), Operation Mercy (SWEDEN) and YMCA (GERMANY) for more boreholes in the region. The goal and target group of the intervention was to provide clean drinking water for 70,000 displaced people in the El Geneina area of which some are IDPs living in the camps and some in local villages that have expanded to include the refugees.