Stand in the gap for families in Darfur

A thin sheet of plastic provides their only protection from the scorching sun, the wind and the sand that constantly blows into their eyes. A battered plastic container holds a few precious litres of water for drinking and washing. And if the aid workers come, there will be a little bit of food for the children to eat.

This is how many displaced families in Darfur live. Conditions are difficult in the makeshift camps, and no one would be living there if they had a choice. Still, it’s better than the alternative.

“One morning, an armed group invaded our village,” remembers Basher, an elderly man in a long white robe. “They opened fire indiscriminately, setting homes on fire and stealing what they could. I lost everything. I came here after three days of walking over 100 kilometres. I was very worried about my family. Thank God we managed all to flee safely,” he says.

Displaced families in Darfur are now more vulnerable

Basher is one of over 4 million people who have been displaced by the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, since 2003. Over the past six years, marauding groups of armed men have killed and raped hundreds of thousands of people.

Most of Sudan’s displaced people are completely dependant on outside aid for survival. And their precarious situation has become more difficult since the Sudanese government recently expelled 13 non-governmental agencies in the wake of the president’s arrest for war crimes.

You have an opportunity to help stand in the gap for the people of Darfur.

Help us provide emergency shelter for displaced families

Our local partner, the Africa Inland Church (AIC) has asked us to assist families in Darfur who are now in an even more vulnerable position. With your help, we want to provide emergency relief to communities of displaced people near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and El Geneina.

Partners International plans to provide blankets, sleeping mats and plastic sheeting to 1,000 vulnerable families. The distribution will give priority to female-headed families and households that are caring for sick children. Our partners are anxious to receive help before the rainy season begins in July, when families will suddenly need protection from the damp and cold.

Your gift will also help our partners provide emotional support, spiritual guidance and a sense of hope for suffering families. AIC plans to open a small kiosk in one of the camps where families will have access to Bibles and other Christian materials.

We need your help to respond to this urgent need. Your gift of $55 provides a package of 2 blankets, 2 mats and 2 plastic sheets for one vulnerable household in South Darfur. A gift of $110 helps two households.

Our partners have an opportunity to offer physical and spiritual hope for families living in dark conditions. You can help us make the love of Christ known in this powerful way. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift today!

 

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Thank you for helping meet the spiritual and physical needs of people around the world.