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Darfur Press Room
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| © Courtesy of the BBC |
| This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers. |
The Darfur region is currently facing a ruinous humanitarian crisis, with more than one million people displaced from their homes and numbers rising daily. The situation of the most vulnerable children and women is critical. Despite a ceasefire signed on 8 April 2004, half the displaced population is still not accessible for humanitarian relief, and major security and human rights issues remain cause for grave concern. Full-fledged peace is essential for the immediate survival and long-term well-being of Sudan's 15 million children.
Thousands of children's lives can be saved in Sudan's western Darfur region if adequate funding is received. UNICEF issued an appeal for $46 million in June during a meeting of donors in Geneva.
UNICEF's action plan includes support in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, primary education and protection. UNICEF will also coordinate nutrition interventions, which include therapeutic and supplementary feeding centers for malnourished children. Moreover, UNICEF is working with partners to provide shelter, clothing, cooking and other items to tens of thousands of families who have lost everything.
Since 1989, UNICEF has provided emergency relief to both government and SPLM-held areas of Sudan through Operation Lifeline Sudan.
UNICEF has been providing assistance in Darfur since the onset of the emergency in 2003.
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Previous Press Releases
- Thousands of Darfur’s children get measles vaccine
- UNICEF airlifts 81 tons of supplies for Darfur refugees
- Japanese $3.77 million to fight disease in Sudan
- UNICEF trains police to assist child victims of sexual violence
- Sanitation gaps make Darfur ripe for disease
- Polio hits Darfur
- UNICEF urges southern Sudan to make children top priority
- Bellamy heads to stricken Darfur region
- Immunization begins for millions of Darfur children
- Urgent funds needed for thousands of displaced children
- UNICEF hails North-South peace progress in Sudan
- With Sudan ceasefire in place, UNICEF begins work
- Measles campaign kicks off for Sudanese refugees in Chad
- UNICEF calls for halt to Darfur fighting
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18 August 2004: Rape is a crime against humanity and far too often it is considered as inevitable in conflict situations. But even in times of conflict children must be protected from the brutal crime of sexual assault. View interview with UNICEF child protection official Pamela Shifman on this topic.
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