The Conflict in a Nutshell
Since the early 90's the Sudanese government has been accused of following a so-called "Arab Apartheid" regime. The African population within in the country was oppressed more and more and failed to secure any government positions. The conflict started in March 2003 when the rebels groups the SLM/A (Sudan Liberation Movement / Army) and the JEM (Justice and Equality Movement), who both fight for equality within Sudan, claimed responsibility for an attack on the Al-Fashir airport; an attack which killed 75 Sudanese soldiers and where tens got kidnapped. The Janjaweed, consisting of various camel-herding tribes from Northern states, was armed and trained by the government to end the rebellion. In the years following, the Janjaweed, in cooperation with the Sudanese government, systematically plundered and burned villages, and killed and raped the inhabitants. According to UN statistics, between 300.000 and 330.000 people were killed and about 2.850.000 people fled for the violence. The Sudanese government still denies all ties to the Janjaweed.
Currently there are more than 4.8 million refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) within Sudan, according to UNHCR statistics. This represents roughly 12% of the total population. The vast majority of these refugees and IDPs, almost 65%, are within the Darfur region.
Since February 2010, there has been a cease-fire agreement between the parties involved. There have been many efforts to establish lasting peace, but so far these talks have end up in disagreement over settlement-payment for the victims and an autonomous government for Darfur. Despite the threat of new escalation of the conflict, many refugees and IDPs are returning to their villages to start again. Many of these people have lived in refugee or IDP camps for years. There are many NGO's active within these camps working on water, food, shelter, and education projects. Once people return to their villages the help effort decreased drastically, and people are left on their own. Everything in their villages needs to be rebuilt, and that's where we want to help.