Health Support for IDPs in Eastern Sudan - Plan International Canada 2008

In spite of the signing of a peace agreement in 2006 ending a decade of low-intensity conflict between the Government of Sudan and rebel groups eastern Sudan remains home to an estimated 168 000 internally displaced people (IDPs) as well as 170 000 refugees from neighbouring Eritrea. With CIDA support Plan Canada is providing emergency health assistance to communities affected by the conflict in eastern Sudan especially IDPs still unable to return to their homes. The project specifically aims to save the lives of women and children through the provision of Emergency Obstetric Care - effectively providing trained medical staff appropriate equipment and supplies and a hospital referral system. Awareness raising activities are being undertaken around reproductive health family planning HIV/AIDS sexually transmitted infections gender-based violence and traditional practices which can be harmful such as female genital mutilation and early marriage. Plan Canada aims to reach an estimated 210 000 women of reproductive age (between the ages of 15 and 49) throughout the life of this project.