Responding to the Darfur crisis

There are now 2.2 million displaced people in the conflict affected area. Serving 673,000 beneficiaries, Oxfam's Darfur response is the largest Oxfam relief effort in the world.

"Thanks to the support of the PSAC Social Justice Fund, Oxfam continues to provide life-sustaining relief to displaced persons in the Darfur region of Sudan and to refugees across the border in Chad," said Oxfam Canada director, Robert Fox.

Much of Oxfam's work in Darfur and Chad has focused on water and sanitation, providing clean water for drinking and washing, building latrines and training people in basic hygiene. Thanks in large part to these efforts, there have been no disease outbreaks in the areas where Oxfam is working.

Oxfam programs are designed to maintain basic human dignity as well as to keep people healthy and safe. To this end, Oxfam is providing packages containing such items as soap, sanitary napkins, brooms, blankets, sleeping mats, underwear and clean clothes.

Community involvement in relief efforts is important for both efficiency and effectiveness. Oxfam trains Community Health Committees, volunteers who educate others about sanitation and personal hygiene, recruit attendants to keep toilets clean and make sure water sources are protected. Oxfam constantly consults with communities, particularly women and children, to ensure the aid delivered is appropriate.

Due to concerns over safety outside of the camps, Oxfam is incorporating firewood into its distribution packages and training in the use of a fuel efficient stove. Women say they are happy as reducing fuel consumption means fewer trips for firewood collection and less chance of being abducted, raped or killed. Oxfam plans to train 4,000 women, to indirectly benefit 40,000 people.