Christian aid groups to help Sudan ‘s Darfur region

VATICAN CITY, June 16, 2004 (AP) — Christian aid groups said Wednesday that they have joined forces to respond to humanitarian needs in Sudan ‘s Darfur region, where ethnic violence has displaced more than a million people.

Caritas Internationalis and Action by Churches Together, which include Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant denominations, said they plan an appeal to cover humanitarian needs over 18 months. The organizations are already assisting refugees who fled to neighboring Chad.

Caritas Secretary-General Duncan MacLaren said in the statement: “The latest reports predict the possibility of 1 million deaths from starvation if we do not act now.”