Caritasnews 2013 Summer

Page 5

In 2012, over 200,000 people in Darfur were assisted with health and nutrition services across 11 health facilities and four supplementary feeding centres.

Since 2004, Caritas Internationalis and Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance have been providing clean water, healthcare, nutrition, education and livelihood training to families living in camps.

In the Darfur camps, as well as throughout all the marginalised communities the Caritas network assists worldwide, the complete wellbeing of families is essential. Healthcare initiatives in Darfur include: • Nutrition treatment care and prevention of malnutrition among children under five years of age, pregnant and lactating women. • Community awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission. • Provision of clean water through boreholes and solar powered water systems. • Improved sanitation facilities through building latrines (toilets) and distributing soap. • Treatment and prevention of waterborne diseases, as well as the provision of mosquito nets. • Various immunisation antigens including yellow fever, polio and malaria, as well as pre-natal vaccinations (in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health). • Health, nutrition and hygiene talks. • Maternal, neonatal, child and reproductive healthcare services. In 2012, over 200,000 people in Darfur were assisted with health and nutrition services across 11 health facilities and four supplementary feeding centres. In September 2013 alone, due to the rainy season and increased cases of diarrhoeal diseases, malaria and pneumonia, 29,503 patient consultations were conducted. You can help You can help us continue our live-saving work in Africa by donating to the Africa Emergency Appeal. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Donate by calling 1800 024 413 toll free or go to: www.caritas.org.au/donate

Continuing Civil War

in the Sudan In January 2011, after decades of fighting, a referendum on independence was held. Over 98 percent of the South Sudanese population voted to secede and independence was officially announced in July 2011. Although the initial transition to independence proceeded relatively smoothly, inter-ethnic tensions and fighting in Sudan and along the border soon erupted. Fighting has forced more than 400,000 people from their homes and as many as 80,000 across the border. By December 2011, as many as 1,000 people were fleeing into South Sudan daily. South Sudan is also fighting internal struggles against at least seven armed groups in nine of its 10 provinces as well as incursions from neighbouring states.

LEARN> For more about the Darfur Program, head to www.caritas.org.au/act-caritas

#135 SUMMER 2013 | 5


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