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Following the expulsion of aid groups from Darfur, Sudan in March, a massive new influx of refugees fled for safety in neighboring Chad.
Huddled under trees for shelter against the blazing desert sun, thousands of people – mostly women and children – escaped unspeakable violence.
Families endured long searches for water and food, with little or no access to medical care.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, AmeriCares has deepened its long-standing commitment to Darfur refugees and has delivered the latest deliveries of emergency aid valued at $800,000. Hospitals and clinics serving Darfur refugees in Chad have recently received critically needed medicines and supplies from AmeriCares.
The airlift contained lifesaving medical aid, including antibiotics to help people fight serious infections and medicines to address alarmingly high rates of post-traumatic stress and depression. Following the airlift is a sea shipment carrying additional humanitarian relief and first aid items, such as aspirin, blankets, bandages and ointment to treat wounds.
The deliveries help our partners on the ground provide routine doctor’s visits, immunizations, maternity care, children’s health services and emergency surgeries for victims of violence. Over 65,000 patients were helped last quarter alone.
After years of turmoil and war, life carries on for the long-suffering refugees. During the last quarter, nearly 100 babies were born at Guereda Hospital which serves refugees in Chad. AmeriCares routinely sends prenatal vitamins to both Sudan and Chad to support moms-to-be and their unborn children. The latest airlift included over $150,000 worth of the critical vitamins to help improve the health of mothers and babies.
Since 2004, AmeriCares has delivered medicines, supplies and equipment to Darfur, Sudan and eastern Chad in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. AmeriCares has completed 11 airlifts to Darfur, delivering over 175 tons of aid valued at over $6 million. To date, AmeriCares has delivered seven shipments to Chad, including over 50 tons of medicines and supplies valued at over $4.4 million. The latest deliveries of aid bring AmeriCares total medical relief for Darfur refugees to over $11.2 million.