USAID Fact Sheet: The Humanitarian Situation in Sudan

July 5, 2006

Recent peace agreements in southern Sudan and Darfur bring with them the chance to improve the humanitarian situation of Sudan's most vulnerable people. Peace in Sudan also promises to advance regional stability, safeguard human rights and religious tolerance, end state sponsorship of international terrorism, and ensure the delivery of aid. The United States is the largest international donor in Sudan, consistently providing 80 percent of all humanitarian assistance-and more than $1 billion since 2005.

Darfur: On May 5, 2006, the Government of National Unity and the largest faction of the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement signed a historic peace agreement to bring an end to conflict in the Darfur region. The conflict had been raging since 2003, when the SLA/M and Justice and Equality Movement rebelled against the government, which responded by supporting local militias known as the janjaweed to put down the rebels. The resulting violence affects more than 3.8 million people, more than 2 million of whom have been driven from their homes. The Darfur Peace Agreement addresses the long-standing marginalization of Darfur and charts a path for lasting peace by detailing timelines for disarmament, demobilization, integration, power sharing, and wealth sharing. USAID has been a leader in the massive international assistance program to Darfur, providing extensive humanitarian and food aid, working to ensure humanitarian access in unstable areas, and preparing for eventual reconstruction.

Southern Sudan: On January 9, 2005, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, officially ending Africa's longest running civil war. During the 21-year conflict, fighting, famine, and disease killed more than 2 million people and forced more than 4 million from their homes-creating the largest population of internally displaced people in the world. The CPA provided for a new constitution and protocols for power sharing, wealth sharing, security. It also stipulates that there be national elections in 2009 and a referendum on self-determination in southern Sudan in 2011. The Interim National Constitution, ratified on July 6, 2005, declares Sudan to be a "democratic, decentralized, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual state." USAID provides an integrated program of aid to war-affected communities-assisting displaced people, providing basic services and food, and improving food security through agriculture and economic development.