Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Mershing. Credit: Nils Carstensen DCA/ACT International

Background

Darfur is a western region of Sudan where conflict between settled farmers and nomads moving cattle herds around in search of water and pasture was commonplace. In the 1980's and 90's, these conflicts began to intensify, particularly with the influx of arms into the region. In early 2003, with the movement towards a final peace accord making advances in the south and with the perception of Darfur marginalization, two political and military resistance movements were formed. This conflict over the past year has erupted into a full-scale war between the resistance movements and the Government of Sudan. Although the Government of Sudan disputes it, common understanding is that they have supported, armed, and motivated a group of Arab militia known as the Janjaweed to put down the rebellion. In a primarily Muslim region, this is a battle between Arabs and Black Africans.

The Janjaweed have swept through the area raping women, burning villages and food stores to the ground, destroying water sites, damaging crops and killing thousands. More than a million people have taken flight and become displaced in the region. Most have become virtual prisoners in a small number of urban areas; leaving would make them vulnerable to attack. More than a hundred thousand have crossed the border into Chad seeking refuge and safety. Recalling his recent visit to the region, James Morris, Director of the World Food Program, said, "I have never seen people in such trauma and so afraid to go back to their home areas."

Current Situation

The situation is now critical due to a number of weather and logistical factors. The internally displaced people (IDPs) fled with nothing. The days in Darfur can be blistering hot, but the nights are very cold. The lack of blankets and adequate protection is resulting in respiratory illness among the people. Local stocks of food and supplies in the immediate region will only cover 50-60 percent of the growing needs.

In an attempt to prevent the world from knowing and to prevent any witness to this atrocity, the Government of Sudan has severely restricted access to the area. This is a difficult region to access in the best of circumstances. Now the looming crisis is the coming of the rains. May and early June is the planting season in this region, with only one annual crop. Once the rains begin, planting will be out of the question, and the region will become almost impassable except by rail or six-wheel drive vehicles. Under such conditions, an adequate humanitarian response is extremely challenging. The primary response window is now only a few weeks in length.

Response

The challenges for response organizations are twofold: how to mount an effective humanitarian response and how to press for decisive action by world governments. Mindful of the terrible cost of not mounting an aggressive intervention in Rwanda 10 years ago, many credible human rights groups are now calling for the use of force in this situation. On Monday, May 24, 2004, the United Nations Security Counsel held a meeting on the crisis in Darfur. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) asked Jennifer Butler, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program's U.N. representative, to cover the meetings for PDA. After listening to the heated dialogue and presentation of the situation, Butler reported, "Right now church groups and humanitarian organizations are the ones who have firsthand information about what is actually happening in Darfur. The Government of Sudan has tried to block the access of outside groups so that it can hide its activities. Our organizations can break the silence."

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is supporting the response to humanitarian needs in this region. $100,000 has been sent to support the response of ACT (Action by Churches Together) members in the region the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). ACT is a global alliance of churches and their agencies responding to emergencies and disasters. PDA is a member of the alliance. Both SCC and NCA have worked closely together in Sudan for a number of years. Funds were also sent to support the ACT Coordinated Assessment Team that was requested by SCC and NCA. The team has just finished its visit and will provide reports and photos for advocacy purposes. Team members also assisted response organizations in the development of formal response plans and outlines for immediate aid shipments. We will respond immediately to the new response plan.

PDA is also preparing for the return of the internally displaced people to the South after the peace accords are signed. Unfortunately the situation in Darfur has moved attention from the peace process in the south. The expectation was that the peace accords would be signed in January, but we are still waiting final signatures. The expectation is that over one million displaced persons in the North will return to their homelands. PDA is working with the Presbyterian Relief and Development program of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan, and the New Sudan Council of Churches relief organization in preparation. Plans are to identify a half a million dollars for this response and to place new mission personnel in the region.

PDA is grateful for the generosity of Presbyterians who continue to demonstrate a passion for the world that God loves and sent his Son to redeem. It is in times like these when we recognize the seriousness of Paul's strong message that "our fight is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers, against the authorities and potentates of this dark world, against the superhuman forces of evil. " (Ephesians 6:12). How else can genocide and ethnic cleansing be described other than the superhuman forces of evil at work in our world? Presbyterians count 170 years of mission history in the Sudan representing literally millions of prayers and dozens of lives committed to that part of God's world. For the sake of those who suffer, we must join the battle against this evil and do all we can to support those in need.

How to Help

Prayer and advocacy are needed. The United States government has demonstrated its concern for the situation, and the interest of the administration must be recognized and thanked. Letters recognizing the attention being given, but encouraging strong financial support to humanitarian work and timely response (equipment and/or personnel) to any active forceful intervention, would be helpful.

The Sudan Working Group of the Presbyterian Church has a wonderful sub group called the Sudan Advocacy Action Forum. This group monitors on a daily basis all of the news around Sudan and helps write and prepare appropriate advocacy actions. The two leaders are Bill Andress, Moderator and Bobbie-Frances McDonal. Please be in touch with them to be on the email list for regular advocacy work on Sudan.

Support to humanitarian efforts in this crisis can be marked for account number DR000044 - Darfur, Sudan and sent to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700