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| Famine in Sudan |
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Sudan has witnessed almost uninterrupted civil war since 1983. Refugees have fled to neighbouring countries while over four million people are displaced within Sudan, the largest internally displaced population in the world. In addition Sudan hosts nearly 400,000 refugees from conflicts in neighbouring countries. Government and rebel forces have both targeted and exploited civilian populations, contributing to the internal displacement. Intense aerial bombardments by Government forces on villages in southern Sudan are frequent; while SPLA rebels have hijacked food aid for their forces and used the refugee camps to conscript new soldiers. In 1998 the effects of the civil war were compounded by a severe drought resulting in tens of thousands of Sudanese dying from the ensuing famine. Rural populations, unable to plant seeds or gather crops, became displaced on a massive scale. Many came to Ajiep where aid agencies where able to offer limited food relief. |
 An elderly woman waits close to the distribution of food at Ajiep. |
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