Darfur: The Crisis Deepens

The situation in Darfur, Sudan, grows more desperate each day. World Relief is committed to being a stabilizing presence, reflecting Christian compassion to all.

In constant fear of militia attacks, village women told World Relief they needed AK-47s to defend themselves – such is their desperation.

“Even Darfur’s children talk about survival needs,” says World Relief’s Rachel Hower. “They have a hard time naming games they play.”

As the security situation deteriorates, the Christian community dare not fail the people of Darfur.

Representing the evangelical community, World Relief is strengthening 15,000 at-risk households in the districts of Azirni, Um Tagouk and Sanidadi. But we urgently need your support.

Women and their children are offered a second chance to be healthy and grow strong.

Feeding the Children
In Azirni, three-year-old Nagla cries because of the gnawing hunger. The militia murdered her father and burned her family’s home. In her brief life, hunger and fear are all that she has known.

Mothers bring their children to one of our 13 feeding centers where the children are weighed, examined and given a flour mix used to make a porridge called asida.

Halima, a 20-year-old mother, brought her malnourished infant to one of our centers. We were able to give both mother and child supplementary food and care. Later, when we asked for community volunteers, Halima was the first to raise her hand. Trained by World Relief, she now teaches other young mothers in her village the importance of nutrition and hygiene.

A group of 20 women surrounded the World Relief vehicle in Um Tagouk. The vehicle and its driver were commandeered to transport a woman in labor to the hospital about 90 minutes away. This is not unusual. Our workers often respond to emergency situations not on their "official" list.

Springs in the Desert
Across Darfur, vital water sources have been compromised by years of unrest and neglect.
Wearing traditional long white robes called jalabiya, men welcome the completion of a hand pump in their village of Kirkir – a long-awaited moment that signals the end of a water crisis in their community.

“Alhamdulilah!” they tell our workers – "Thanks be to God!”

Beforehand, village women and their daughters trekked five hours on foot each day to collect water from the nearest source. The pump has revolutionized their lives.

To ensure that the water keeps running, World Relief trains people in the community to do maintenance and repairs.

We couldn’t do this without your support. Thank you for standing with the people of Darfur – and for giving our staff the opportunity to share the love and compassion of Christ.

Make a difference in the lives of people living in Darfur.  Click here to donate to World Relief's programs in Sudan.