ARC Receives $2.8 Million from US Government for Darfur

 ARC will continue life-saving work in Darfur.

August 9, 2005

The US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance recently awarded the American Refugee Committee International (ARC) $2,797,000 to continue providing health care, water and sanitation training programs for internally-displaced persons (IDP) and war-affected populations in Darfur, Sudan.

The continuing violence and attacks against civilians have forced people to flee their homes for camps and settlements in safer parts of the region. The dislocation of people from their homes and livelihoods has resulted in a public health crisis in the region. ARC has been working in Darfur since 2003, collaborating with USAID and UNHCR to assist local people.

“We’re looking forward to working further with USAID to address emergency health needs and stabilize the health status of those communities who have been affected by the conflict,” said Jerry Farrell, ARC’s Country Director in Darfur. “While we will continue to address emergency health, water and sanitation needs, we will also help communities begin the process of recovery.”

“To also address communities’ long-term needs,” commented ARC president Hugh Parmer, “we’ll be providing displaced people with education and training so they’ll have a foundation on which to rebuild their communities when the conflict has ended. While immediate suffering is still great and violence continues, we must also think of the future well-being of these people.”

Using the new USAID funds, ARC will provide additional primary health care services and train individuals to educate their communities on disease prevention and hygiene. ARC will also build the capacity of community health workers to provide medical treatment for their communities into the future. Clinical management of rape (CMR) and counseling, water, environment and sanitation services and training will also be included in ARC initiatives to help people cope with their trauma and rebuild their lives.

The American Refugee Committee is an international nonprofit, non-sectarian organization providing humanitarian assistance and training to more than one million people in Africa, Asia and Europe. ARC works for the survival, health, and well-being of people affected by conflict and disaster.

Press Contact: Therese Gales at (800) 875-7060 or (612) 221-5161.