MEDIA RELEASE 23 April 2007

ChildFund condemns torture of children in Darfur

Children are suffering unimaginable horrors in Darfur, according to a new report from Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict.

ChildFund New Zealand’s national director Paul Brown says the world needs to act to protect its most vulnerable citizens, the children.

“Thousands of children are being raped, tortured, and press-ganged into militias or used as forced labour. Thousands more remain at risk due to the dire conditions and escalating violence in the region.”

The Watchlist report says that the Sudanese government and various armed groups are hampering the efforts of aid agencies to provide desperately needed protection for children.

“The humanitarian crisis continues unabated, and sadly it is the children who end up bearing the brunt of these conflicts. The situation is unlikely to improve unless there is sustained international pressure,” says Brown.

In neighbouring Chad, 12 refugee camps currently support more than 250,000 refugees who have fled the violence. ChildFund is active in some of the largest refugee camps providing emergency relief for refugees in the form of food, including nutritional supplements and baby food, soap and washing containers, and medical care. To provide protection against the freezing cold nights, ChildFund provides plastic sheets to cover weather beaten tents, blankets, clothes and shoes. ChildFund has also created Child Centred Spaces where specialists help children overcome trauma.

ChildFund Emergency Appeal for Darfur – 0800 223 111

Media covering stories about the situation in Darfur are asked to please remind their readers, viewers and listeners that they can make a personal contribution to the ChildFund emergency appeal by calling 0800 223 111 or by making a donation online at www.childfund.org.nz

ENDS

About ChildFund New Zealand

ChildFund New Zealand is an international child development organisation which works in 54 countries, assisting 11.4 million children and family members regardless of race, creed or gender.

ChildFund New Zealand, a member of ChildFund International, works for the well-being of children by supporting locally-led initiatives that strengthen families and communities, helping them overcome poverty and protect the rights of their children.

ChildFund's comprehensive programs incorporate health, education, nutrition and livelihood interventions that sustainably protect, nurture and develop children. ChildFund works in any environment where poverty, conflict and disaster threaten the well-being of children.

About Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict

The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict strives to end violations against children in armed conflicts and to guarantee their rights.

As a global network, the Watchlist builds partnerships among local, national and international non-governmental organizations, enhancing mutual capacities and strengths.

Working together, we strategically collect and disseminate information on violations against children in conflicts in order to influence key decision-makers to create and implement programs and policies that effectively protect children.

For further information go to www.watchlist.org

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