In the wake of recent demonstrations for massacre-hit Darfur in London and other capital cities, the UK agency Christian Aid has launched an appeal for funds and action.

A year after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement the situation in Darfur is worse than ever, says the churches’ relief and development organisation. Rather than bringing peace to the region, it has led to further fighting and insecurity.

Christian Aid, which strengthens the poor without regard to creed, is urging people to donate money to its newly-launched emergency Darfur appeal (http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/sudan/index.htm).

An estimated 1.9 million people are now living in over crowded makeshift camps. Clean water is in short supply. Food is scarce. With no peace or security, people are too scared to return home.

As the crisis continues, Christian Aid is working through Action of Churches Together (the global ecumenical network), Caritas (the Catholic relief network) and three local partner organisations in Sudan.

Alistair Dutton , head of Christian Aid’s humanitarian response unit, said: “Despite the increasing insecurity in the area, we are still getting help to those in need, but it is becoming more difficult and expensive.”

Christian Aid is working through local organisations to provide safe, clean water by drilling new boreholes, installing and repairing hand pumps and rehabilitating hand-dug wells; food rations to malnourished children under 5 years and pregnant women; basic necessities such as water cans, cooking utensils, mosquito nets and blankets to families living in camps; primary health care to people living in the camps and host communities; and rebuilding and rehabilitating schools so the children do not miss out on their education whilst living in the camps

Dutton added: “We are also asking governments to provide adequate protection to the people living in Darfur and support a single inclusive peace process.”

He declared: “We desperately need your support today to ensure we can continue to provide help to people in Darfur both now and in the future. At the moment we are helping 450,000 people. If we do not receive enough funding we will have to scale down our work – an unimaginable thought given the worsening crisis.”

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You can also buy Christian Aid gifts and support present aid online.