A year after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement the situation is worse than ever. Rather than bringing peace to the region, it has led to further fighting and insecurity.

An estimated 1.9 million people are now living in over crowded makeshift camps. Clean water is in short supply. Food is scarce. With no peace or security, people are too scared to return home.

As the crisis continues, Christian Aid is working through Action for Churches Together, Caritas and three local partner organisations.

Alistair Dutton, head of Christian Aid's humanitarian response unit, said: 'Despite the increasing insecurity in the area, we are still getting help to those in need, but it is becoming more costly. Most of the major camps are now only accessible by helicopter which is an extremely expensive way to provide assistance.'

Christian Aid is working though local organisations to provide:

· safe, clean water by drilling new boreholes, installing and repairing hand pumps and rehabilitating hand-dug wells

· food rations to malnourished children under 5 years and pregnant women

· basic necessities such as water cans, cooking utensils, mosquito nets and blankets to families living in camps

· primary health care to people living in the camps and host communities

· rebuilding and rehabilitating schools so the children do not miss out on their education whilst living in the camps

Mr Dutton added: 'We are also asking governments to provide protection to the people living in Darfur and support a single inclusive peace process.

'We desperately need your support today to ensure we can continue to provide help to people in Darfur both now and in the future. At the moment we are helping 450,000 people. If we do not receive enough funding we will have to scale down our work - an unimaginable thought given the worsening crisis.'

£34.35 can pay for a doctor for three days in El Fasher, North Darfur, a vital lifeline for people because they are rebel held areas that don't allow government workers in

£58 can supply a school desk/seat combination for primary school children in North Darfur

£100 can pay towards a hand pump to be installed to provide safe, clean water

For m ore information call Dominic Nutt on 0207 523 2427 or 07720 467680. Out of hours call 07850 242 950.

ENDS