Crisis in Sudan
Photo: Caroline Gluck/Oxfam
Southern Sudan
The peace agreement is under threat in southern Sudan. In 2009, around 2,500 people were killed and 350,000 fled their homes, a greater death toll than Darfur, according to Oxfam report Rescuing the Peace in Southern Sudan.
Despite the fact that the people of southern Sudan are supposed to be enjoying peace, violence and crime are escalating due to scarce resources and fighting between rival tribes. Rebecca Konjo, a 45-year-old Sudanese woman, was forced to flee her home in 2009 following two attacks by a rival tribe, and returned to find her house looted. Rebecca is finding it a daily struggle to find enough food to provide only one meal a day for her family.The mother-of-thirteen has to hunt for wild grass to eat with three of her young children, and collect plants in metal pans.
We should not have problems because we are in peace ... we have no food and the raiders destroyed everything. Where can we go?
– Rebecca Konjo
In 2010 the landmark elections and the referendum will be critical. Southerners will then decide if they want to remain part of a united Sudan or secede. But in the mean time there are fears that unless the international community acts swiftly to bolster the fragile peace process, Sudan could once again face serious instability.
Darfur
The Darfur crisis remains one of the world's largest concentrations of human suffering. The sheer enormity of this conflict is staggering: 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in vast, crowded camps in Darfur and across the border in Chad.
More than 4.5 million people have been affected by the conflict and depend on humanitarian assistance. The violence goes on and thousands more people are fleeing every month. Aid workers have faced violent attacks, providing enormous challenges to their work.
Photo: Jane Beesley/Oxfam
Oxfam's work in Sudan
We have helped more than 500,000 people affected by the crisis, both in Darfur and eastern Chad by:
- Providing access to clean, safe water and sanitation as well as basic necessities such as blankets, soap and jerry cans for carrying water
- Carrying out public health education programs to try and prevent the spread of disease
- Providing opportunities for people find alternatives to the reliance on external aid so they can build a future
Situation update
On 4 March 2009 the Government of Sudan revoked Oxfam Great Britain's license to operate in northern Sudan. They are doing everything they can to appeal the government's decision and are deeply concerned about the 600,000 people who rely on their projects in the area.
Other Oxfam affiliates including Oxfam America are still working in the region.
Learn more
Read the report Rescuing Peace in Southern Sudan
Find out more about how we respond in times of crisis
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