FROM THE FIELD
26 August 2008The situation in Darfur remains volatile and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently distributed seeds and tools to 40,000 families living in remote villages.The aim was to help displaced people and host communities regain their livelihoods, so they don't have to rely on handouts, and also to prevent further displacement.The ICRC continues to work in Gereida, where it has been the only organisation with a permanent presence since December 2006, providing a lifeline for thousands of people living in a camp after they were forced to flee their homes.Treating malnutritionAfter a recent visit, British Red Cross international director Matthias Schmale said: "I don't see peace around the corner and we need to be prepared to address the humanitarian consequences for some time to come."Matthias visited the ICRC feeding centre for malnourished children in Gereida camp, which is supported by the British Red Cross. "Many children were suffering not only with severe malnutrition but also other illnesses such as diarrhoea, which complicates their treatment," he said. "But lives are being saved by delegates and the Sudanese people working together."Nine-month-old Sanusi weighed just 5.1 kilograms when he arrived at the centre. Ruth Jebb, a Red Cross nurse, said: "Once we dealt with his dehydration he started to improve. Ten days later, he was happily eating a packet of plumpynut, a highly nutritious peanut paste, and his weight had increased to almost 6 kilograms."Gereida campFour years ago 11,000 people lived in the camp. Now there are 130,000 displaced people inhabiting a vast area. Five outreach centres have been established focusing on prevention and early detection of malnutrition before children need to be admitted to the feeding centre. Matthias said: "There's a dramatic contrast between the people who have been there a while and live in well-established shelters with the new arrivals, who have little more than a few twigs and plastic sheets. It was raining and hygiene conditions among some new arrivals were not good."But they are being supported by volunteers, who show fantastic dedication working in intense, hot conditions, visiting family homes, monitoring the children and giving basic healthcare messages." More about the Red Cross in Darfur[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
