Q&A on the Darfur conflict

What is happening in western Sudan, what CAFOD is doing there, and how you can help

Last updated 20/05/2009

What has CAFOD done to help?

We have been working in South and West Darfur since 2004 as part of a major emergency programme organised by the two main church-based networks, Caritas Internationalis and Action by Churches Together.

Almost half a million people have been receiving help through this programme, which is aimed at those most in need, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin. We have contributed £5 million so far to the Darfur programme.

This money has been used to:

• drill boreholes, dig shallow wells and repair hand pumps to ensure access to clean water;
• construct and repair latrines for families and schools;
• conduct intensive health and hygiene awareness campaigns;
• build, equip and staff health clinics in camps and local communities, and provide primary healthcare to infants, mothers and the elderly;
• provide training for health workers;
• identify and treat malnutrition, mostly among young children;
• construct or rehabilitate schools for displaced children and support the teachers in those schools;
• distribute seeds, tools, tree seedlings if people have access to land;
• support peace-building initiatives between communities, including community leaders, youth, women, teachers and students.

In 2009, we pledged £900,000 to the programme – money raised in an appeal to our supporters.

The programme was not affected by the expulsions of international organisations by the Sudanese authorities in March 2009 and was asked to fill some of the gaps in the life-saving activities created by the departure of these organisations.

What are CAFOD’s main concerns for those affected by the conflict?

People have been driven violently from their homes in the villages and have moved into temporary camps which offer them a minimum of security. Unless the security situation improves, the people will not feel it is safe to return to their land or rebuild their villages.

There are signs that the displaced people are starting to settle down where they now find themselves.

It is also considered unsafe for women to venture outside the confines of the camps, although this is sometimes necessary to forage for firewood or to tend crops.

The absence of protection for vulnerable people is a real concern. On the other hand, it is often not safe for outsiders to enter the camps either.

There are reports of internal conflicts between different factions and people are now more sceptical about the prospects for peace and justice.

The lack of progress on the political front has created a feeling of disillusionment and the young are prone to become radicalised.

The traditional authority of the heads of families and community leaders such as the sheiks has been eroded. Adults have lost the capacity to provide for their family or to contribute to the well-being of their community.

The longer people are forced to stay in camps, the greater the risk they will lose their capacity to lead a self-sufficient lifestyle.

So it is essential to help people maintain the practical skills on which they used to depend. We support social centres in camps where people can practise a range of skills such as leatherwork, basket-making, carpentry, baking, spinning and weaving.

How does CAFOD co-ordinate its work with other organisations?

The emergency work is carried out by our two Sudanese partner organisations, and by Norwegian Church Aid, which co-ordinates the joint programme through its Darfur Director.

This programme is also co-ordinated with the Sudanese authorities (the Humanitarian Aid Commission of the Sudanese Government) and with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activity (OCHA) to ensure the aid is distributed to those most in need.

We have the lead role in co-ordinating the support for this programme from the member organisations of the Caritas Internationalis network, primarily in terms of fundraising.

How does CAFOD view the situation in Darfur?

After five years, this has become a long-running or “chronic” emergency as we are continuing to provide essential services which protect and sustain the lives of vulnerable people.

The lack of any real progress towards peace means those affected by this conflict remain largely dependent on aid for their survival. We cannot now turn our backs on the people with whom we have worked since 2004.

What is the background to the conflict?

Darfur is in western Sudan, covering an area the size of France and is home to the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa people.

Nomadic Arab herders have traditionally moved through the region at certain times of the year in search of pasture for their animals, which led to clashes with the settled, non-Arab population.

However, applying "Arab" or "non-Arab" labels are rather crude, and have led to frequent oversimplifications and misunderstandings of the conflict. Arabs and non-Arab ethnic groups have lived peacefully in the past and have also intermarried.

There are many reasons why the conflict broke out in 2003, but it has roots in a history of internal tension between different ethnic groups, often arising from the competition for resources.

This tension worsened in recent years after a rapid growth in the population of Darfur and a perception by some that the region was being neglected in terms of development: there was very little investment in infrastructure (roads), health services or schools at a time when oil revenues were starting to flow into the country.

An increased availability of small arms thanks to wars in the neighbouring countries has also contributed to the escalation of the conflict.

By early 2003, two groups - the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) - were ready to launch an insurgency against government targets, with the aim of gaining greater economic and political representation for Darfur.

In response, a campaign was carried out by government-supported militia against civilian communities from the same ethnic groups as SLA and JEM members – largely Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.

There was widespread killing, looting, and destruction of crops and homes - especially in 2003 – which led to the displacement of an estimated 2.7 million people.

In April 2004, a ceasefire was negotiated for Darfur with the help of neighbouring Chad, the African Union (AU), the European Union and the United States. However, all parties to the conflict continually broke the agreement, and the violence has continued.

The Darfur Peace Agreement (signed on May 5, 2006 by some of the parties involved) has not resulted in an end to the violence. As the rebel groups fragment further, it is harder than ever to organise meaningful peace discussions. Despite the efforts of the International Community, the situation remains violent and unstable.

Since January 2008, a combined United Nations and African Union peacekeeping operation known as UNAMID has been deployed with a mandate to protect civilians and provide security for humanitarian assistance.

However, there have been delays in the arrival of the personnel with the result that the force has not yet reached its full strength of 20,000 troops and 6,000 police.

The harsh environment and logistical challenges of working in Darfur have also undermined UNAMID’s effectiveness, but its presence should at least encourage the environment in which peace can begin to take root.