Polio hits Darfur, Sudan

Crisis in western Sudan

Press release 22 June 2004

Polio experts issued a stark warning that west and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years. The warning follows confirmation today that a child was paralysed on 20 May in the conflict affected Darfur region of Sudan - a country which had not seen the disease in more than three years. The virus is closely linked genetically to poliovirus endemic in northern Nigeria which has spread through Chad in recent months.

Grave concern continues to mount over the situation of women and children in the Darfur region with living conditions for the one million displaced worsening with the onset of the rainy season. There are signs of increasing malnutrition among children with a child malnutrition rate at 23 per cent, which is already well above the internationally recognised 'critical level' of 14 per cent. On-going attacks on civilians are taking a heavy toll on life and increasing the insecurity felt by many vulnerable families.

'The confirmed case of polio in Darfur is a horrific development in what is already a grim situation,' said Anita Tiessen, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF UK. 'We are working hard to provide assistance including immunising children against disease but it's clear that we must do more if we are to avert a humanitarian disaster on a mammoth scale. I urge the UK public to assist us in this important job by responding to our call for funds.'

In response to the crisis in Darfur, UNICEF teams based in El Geneina, Nyala and El Fashir, along with staff in Chad have been responding with life-saving assistance for displaced families and the host communities. This has included support for primary health clinics, therapeutic feeding centres for malnourished children and the installation and rehabilitation of water pumps to provide vital access to clean drinking water.

UNICEF UK's 'Children of Sudan' appeal seeks to raise £25 million in support of UNICEF's work in the Darfur region. Funds raised will be used to increase the organisation's emergency work that could help save the lives of thousands of children.

Priority areas include for the coming months:

* UNICEF plans to reach at least 600,000 displaced people with safe water by the end of August. The agency is currently reaching 350,000;
* Water purification tablets for 120,000 people have been dispatched to Darfur. Another 25 million chlorine tablets, enough for one million people for three months, are being distributed;
* 50,000 long-lasting treated bed nets have been provided to 100,000 children to reduce the incidence of malaria;
* UNICEF has established temporary schools to provide educational opportunities for 30,000 children. The goal is to reach 60,000 by the end of August;
* UNICEF is expanding its psychosocial support centre initiative across Darfur in an attempt to alleviate the emotional distress felt by many children caught up in the violence. Within ten weeks, more than 40,000 children will be provided with structured recreational activities, made possible by the training of an additional 435 helpers and teachers on child protection and psychosocial support issues.