In Darfur, A Way to Grow Their Own

Five years into the Darfur conflict, two out of every three people living in Sudan's western region have been affected by the violence. More than 2 million displaced people now live in camps after being driven from their homes. Another 2 million Darfuris remain in their villages, but instability and fear of attacks prevent them from moving freely and leading normal lives. Many farming families who can still access their fields struggle to grow sufficient food and earn sufficient income to meet their daily needs.

This year, families in Darfur face new problems. Increased attacks on truck convoys have forced the U.N. World Food Program to cut back rations of emergency food, which Catholic Relief Services helps to deliver. At the same time, rising fuel and food prices further burden stranded rural communities. Agricultural programs are now even more critical to help families supplement limited supplies of food.

Since 2005, CRS has been a pioneer in providing seeds and farming tools to thousands of affected families in West Darfur through innovative voucher-based fair systems supported by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). By giving eligible families vouchers they use to select seeds and tools of their choice from local traders, CRS is helping Darfuris to help themselves.

All photos by Debbie DeVoe/CRS