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One of the IDPs displaced by conflict. Photo: Paul Jeffrey, ACT
Conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region escalated in 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) took up arms, accusing the government of neglecting the region.
According to a United Nations report, about 2 million people have been displaced by the conflict and an estimated 300,000 people are believed to have died.
Over the years, the conflict has severely curtailed efforts to deliver adequate humanitarian aid to the displaced people. Aid workers have been killed, vehicles have been stolen and the delivery of food has been hampered by the violence.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been supporting the humanitarian work in Darfur in cooperation with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service organizations since 2004. The PDA-supported program of ACT-Caritas has become one of the largest humanitarian efforts in southern and western Darfur with a proven capacity to respond to this humanitarian crisis. A report of recent activities is on the PDA Web site.
January 2009 summary of activities available to download and print 
February 2009 summary of activities available to download and print
ACT issued the following statement on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the day when judges at the International Criminal Court ordered the arrest of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, charging him with war crimes and crimes against humanity for a concerted government campaign against civilians in the Darfur region.
Calm is needed in Sudan following arrest warrant
Calm is needed in Sudan following the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for its president, says Zambian-born ACT International director, John Nduna.
"I call upon the government and leading political parties to maintain a sober mind in light of the arrest warrant issued this afternoon," added Mr. Nduna.
The ACT International alliance through its members is one the largest humanitarian actors in South and West Darfur.
"We in the ACT network are committed to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities in all of Sudan," Mr. Nduna added. "The challenges of both peace and justice in Sudan are not just in Darfur, but also in South Sudan. This aspect of the situation in cannot be overlooked."
"This is a legal process for the international legal and U.N. institutions. This is the time for all parties to have patience," Mr. Nduna stressed. He also calls for the continued provision of aid by the international community.
"The presence of humanitarian actors, the United Nations, and the African Union in Sudan should not be compromised. The last to be affected by this arrest warrant should be the innocent civilians in Darfur."
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