Emergency appeal launched for Darfur

UK aid charities have launched an emergency appeal for Darfur, Chad and the Central African Republic.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said that 4.5 million people are affected by conflict in the region, while the looming rains are threatening to bring the risk of deadly conditions like diarrhoea and malaria, especially for children, pregnant mothers and the elderly.

Malnutrition levels are also rising in some areas, the DEC said, and aid agencies also need to bolster food and medicine stocks before the downpours hit any time within the next four weeks.

The DEC also said that help was needed as soon as possible, because the gathering of storms would make the delivery of aid more difficult.

Violence is escalating in the region, with many villages being left burnt-out shells. Four million people in Darfur - two-thirds of the population - are dependent on humanitarian aid.

More than two million people, nearly one in three of Darfur's population, are living in camps.

Money raised by the appeal will help to provide shelter, clean water and sanitation, emergency food and vital items, such as water buckets, blankets and soap, as well as enable medical teams to provide emergency care to those affected by the conflict.

Brendan Gormley, Chief Executive of the DEC, said: "We are seeing one of the greatest concentrations of human suffering right now in Darfur and Chad and the impeding rains will make the situation even worse. The money raised by the British public in 2004 saved thousands of lives and we desperately need your help.

"We have been keeping people alive but access is already severely hampered by conflict and the rains will make it much harder for us to respond if we don't act now."

To donate to the appeal, call: 0870 60 60 900 or visit the website at www.dec.org.uk.

(KMcA/SP)