The United Nations (UN) has issued the Revised Appeal for the Sudan Assistance Program (ASAP 2004) seeking more than $115 million for the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. This replaces the Greater Darfur Special Initiative launched on 15 September 2003, which requested some $23 million.
The new appeal includes programs to provide food aid, health care, agricultural assistance, relief supplies including shelter, water and sanitation, education, protection and coordination.
UN agencies estimate that over 700,000 Sudanese have become internally displaced in Darfur since fighting erupted early last year between the Sudanese Government, allied militias and rebel groups. Tens of thousands of refugees have fled into neighboring Chad.
UN agencies and non-governmental organizations have been able to help only about one third of those in need as insecurity, weak implementing capacity and an inconsistent travel permit regime prevent wider access.
Attacks against civilians have forced internally displaced persons to congregate in larger and more urban areas, which increase the risk of disease outbreaks. Scarce sources of water around which the internally displaced congregate are dwindling rapidly.
On April 2, 2004, the UN launched a new appeal for over $30 million to provide aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad during 2004. The Chad appeal seeks funding to provide immediate assistance to 110,000 people in eastern Chad. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
