Irish Red Cross in aid mission to Sudanese

Speaking following UN reports of a major exodus of women and children from Sudan into neighbouring Chad, David Andrews said essential aid was needed now. In excess of Eur 30 million is needed this year in two Red Cross operations - on the border with Chad and within Sudan itself.

"These women and children have walked hundreds of miles to get to a place of safety, having survived horrific attacks on their homes. They urgently need medical aid, food, clean water, and shelter," said Mr Andrews.

An emergency contribution of Eur 25,000 is being sent to support an Appeal for aid by the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which has received just over a third of what it needs to assist the refugees in Chad. The IFRC is looking for a total of Eur 1.5 million.

It's understood that the refugees are fleeing renewed fighting in the Sudanese region of Darfur, along the Chad border. The Government of Chad put the number of refugees at 135,000, while the UNHCR estimates that 95,000 people are involved.

Within Sudan itself, operations are being run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has a special mandate in relation to conflicts under the Geneva Conventions. This year the ICRC will spend Eur 29.5 million on its work in Sudan.

According to international agencies, the country has been engulfed in civil war for the last 20 years which, coupled with famine, has resulted in 2 million deaths and 4 million displaced people. Peace accords were signed between the government and rebel forces at the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003, but late last year renewed fighting took place in Darfur, forcing the villagers and farmers (mainly women and children) to flee for their lives.

Donations to support Red Cross operations can be made by credit card to Callsave
1850 50 70 70 or online at www.redcross.ie or by cheque or postal order to the Irish Red Cross, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

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