Sudan, By the Numbers
With all of the numbers being thrown around -- more than 1.5 million displaced persons in Darfur and Chad; 50,000 dead so far; 3,000 troops pledged from the African Union -- it is sometimes hard to grasp the scope of the crisis in Sudan. Here are some helpful comparisons:
How many people are at risk?
- More than live in Philadelphia. In Darfur, more than 1.8 million people have been directly impacted by the conflict. Of that 1.8 million, 1,449,690 people have been forced from their homes. Imagine more than the population of Dallas expelled from the city and scattered across the Texas plains.
- Thousands die each week. The World Health Organization estimates
that 10,000 people die each month in Darfur. At a rate of 14 deaths per
hour, the number of lives lost each week is equivalent to the total
lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.[1]
What are conditions like in the refugee camps?
- Severe malnutrition and famine. Despite food donations from world governments and the prodigious work of international humanitarian groups to distribute aid, many people are not eating enough to survive. According to Doctors Without Borders, "from January until May, the people in [the West Darfur] camp at Mornay were receiving only 1,000 kcals per day, not even half of the 2,500 Kcal daily ration needed to survive."[4] To put that in perspective, 1,000 kcals is roughly equal to one Snickers bar, one order of French fries, and a 16 oz. Coca-Cola.[5]
- Food often unable to reach camps. Over the past few weeks food distribution to some camps has improved, but many remain inaccessible. Thus, famine conditions persist for thousands of people who have the dual misfortune of being displaced and out of range for help.
- Neverending streams of new refugees. Even camps that are consistently receiving supplies cannot keep up with demand. After each janjaweed attack, more displaced people seek shelter and assistance. The Breidjing refugee camp in Chad was over capacity in August when there was one latrine for every 980 persons. [6]
- Unsanitary. In comparison, the U.S. Federal
Emergency Management Agency suggests that event planners provide one
toilet for every 167 attendees at large public events. [7] So next time
you are in a long bathroom line at a concert or sporting event, just be
thankful that you don't have to stay in a place that is always just as
crowded, but where there are five times fewer toilets -- and they are
rarely cleaned. [more
] Information is from the Center for American Progress.