In May 2008, the World Food Program (WFP) reduced food rations in Darfur by half - from 2,156 calories per person, per day, to only 1,242 calories. By August, during the hungry season, the WFP was fortunately able to increase rations to 75% of the original amount. However, they reported that an increasing number of civilians are receiving no aid at all.
The problem is insecurity along delivery routes. In the first four months of 2008, over 60 WFP contracted trucks were hijacked in Darfur, with 26 drivers unaccounted for.
The situation of insecurity saw both improvements and setbacks in late 2008 and early 2009. The WFP reported in November 2008 that "Beneficiaries in Darfur continued to receive reduced rations... [and] some 14,000 beneficiaries were not reached due to insecurity, including 8,000 in North Darfur, 3,000 in West Darfur and 3,000 in South Darfur..." The WFP issued warnings in January 2009 that intensified fighting risks worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Please send the Prime Minister 15 grams (four teaspoons) of rice, beans, or lentils, along with a letter. The cut in rations meant that from May to August, cereals were cut to 225 grams and high-protein pulses (beans or lentils) were cut to only 30 grams. Can you imagine having only 30 grams of protein-rich food each day?
Simply add the dry food and letter to a regular envelope, add one regular stamp and tape the envelope shut to ensure that it is well-sealed!
The Canadian government can take important steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, by working to improve the security situation in Darfur. The United Nations / African Union joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) needs additional support from Canada and other countries. The mission was supposed to be deployed by December 31st, 2007, but it has encountered huge delays due to obstruction by the Sudanese government and a lack of support from the international community.
In late March, Maxime Bernier (at the time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs) announced that in addition to Canada's regular contribution to UN peacekeeping, that we will contribute an additional $40 million to the UNAMID mission, plus additional funds for humanitarian assistance and for peacekeeping in Southern Sudan. This step is welcome, and is the result of the concerns and actions of people like you, all across the country. At the same time, the situation remains dire. Canada can and must do more.
Take action
Click here to view or print the letter to Prime Minister Harper. You can print this letter now, or add your own personal changes first. Don't forget to add 4 teaspoons of rice, lentils or beans to the envelope!
Learn more
View the World Food Programme's April announcement
Read the most recent Secretary General's report to the UN Security Council on the situation in Darfur
Learn more about the UNAMID peacekeeping mission
