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USAID Provides Relief for Conflict-Affected Sudanese in Abyei
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
WASHINGTON - In response to the recent violence in Abyei, Sudan, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has redirected some of its existing resources to assist those affected by the conflict. The Abyei area has long been a priority for USAID, and the agency's ongoing presence there allowed USAID and its partners to rapidly assess the situation and to launch the provision of essential emergency assistance to those most in need.
Several USAID partners, including many non-governmental organizations (NGO), that were already working in the area mobilized quickly to initiate the response. Mercy Corps and a local NGO are providing the residential and operational bases from which relief organizations are managing the response. Mercy Corps has also provided vehicles, fuel, and staff to support the logistical effort. Pact, which was in the process of drilling 17 new boreholes in the area, has relocated four of the sites to ensure that the recently displaced have access to water. The UN World Food Program (WFP) is leading the transport and distribution of food aid, which requires managing the complex logistics involved in obtaining and supplying commodities to an area largely isolated due to insecurity and rained-out roads. Save the Children/US is assisting with WFP food distribution, as well as providing non-food items such as blankets, water containers, cooking sets, sleeping mats, and plastic sheeting to those have no shelter or belongings. Save the Children is also initiating child protection activities in the Agok area. GOAL, which has been operating health facilities in the area for several years, reassigned staff to support emergency medical efforts in the affected area and is providing health care through its existing clinics to displaced people and host community members.
The United States is the single largest donor to Sudan, providing half of all humanitarian assistance. The U.S. Government has contributed more than $4 billion in humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping assistance to Sudan and eastern Chad since 2005. USAID's humanitarian programs support shelter, food, water and sanitation, health and hygiene, relief, and income-generation activities for those in need countrywide.
USAID is closely monitoring the humanitarian situation and will continue to provide additional assistance as needed.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs in Sudan, please visit www.usaid.gov/sudan.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
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