Solidarités for devastated Asia
December 29th, 2004

In response to the humanitarian disaster caused by the tsunami waves in South Asia, Solidarités, an emergency humanitarian relief organisation, is sending a team to Sri Lanka to provide assistance to disaster victims.

This country, one of the worst affected by the disaster, is seeing the death toll and the number of people who have lost their homes rise daily. Many of the disaster victims are caught in inaccessible areas, and epidemics are already a major threat for those that have survived.

In emergency situations, Solidarités specialises in the provision of drinking water and sanitation facilities, and in the distribution of essential commodities and food to displaced populations. In the ensuing post-emergency phase, Solidarités carries out reconstruction of infrastructure and housing, bridges, health dispensaries, schools, and nurseries, but also implements the rehabilitation of water purification facilities and waste water treatment plants.

At this festive time of year when we are celebrating Christmas and the New Year with our families and sharing gifts and hope, Asia is in urgent need of our solidarity both now and for the long term. Solidarités makes an appeal for donations to assist the disaster victims in Asia. Your donations may made by cheque and sent to :

Solidarités - Pour l'Asie. BP 100 - 75020 Paris.

To support SOLIDARITES' humanitarian action in Asia,
please send your donations to : SOLIDARITES. BP 100 - 75020 Paris
or to
SOLIDARITES - Villa Souchet - 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

Press contacts : Alain Boinet 06 82 59 29 07 and Communication Dept. 01 43 15 13 13

On World Food Day (October 16th), SOLIDARITES, an international humanitarian aid organisation which has been fighting hunger for 24 years, judges the most dangerous weapon of mass destruction in the world today to be hunger, killing 10 million people each year, that is 25,000 lives lost every day or one life every 5 seconds.
This is not inevitable, and therefore SOLIDARITES acclaims the efforts of the « World Summit for Action against Hunger », whose aim is to raise an additional 50 billion dollars a year to reduce poverty by half before 2015, in line with the committment made by the international community in 2000. We now need to see action.

More than 840 million people suffer from hunger in the world, and 2 billion are affected by nutritional deficiencies. 10 million people die of hunger every year, that is 25,000 lives lost every day, or one life every 5 seconds. The average daily calorie requirement for a human being is 2350 calories, but a displaced person in the Darfur region (Sudan) survives on less than half that whilst an American consumes an average of 3700 calories per day. Although drought is the primary cause of food shortages, our planet could potentially feed the global population, whilst the impact of war and the use of hunger as a weapon must also be taken into consideration.

SOLIDARITES is involved in food safety projects in Sudan, Afghanistan, Liberia and many other countries, which are run by volunteers specialising in agricultural revival and rural engineering programmes. These programmes follow on from emergency aid and enable vulnerable populations to achieve nutritional self-sufficiency : construction of dams, water reservoirs and irrigation networks, support for agriculture and animal farming, training courses for farmers, distribution of seeds and tools, introduction of poultry farming, planting of family vegetable gardens, community training on dietary balance and recognition of malnutrition…

It is essential for more funds to be allocated to these precise, targeted projects which have real impact, and for which we have expertise in partnership with local populations. Funds invested in this way, far from being wasted, provide a long-term, people-driven solution to the scandal of hunger, for every location where we work. Food safety must become a humanitarian priority for the whole world.

A report on food safety is available on our website : www.solidarites.org

To support SOLIDARITES humanitarian aid programmes to promote food safety
please send your donations to : SOLIDARITES - BP 100- 75020 Paris
or to
SOLIDARITES - Villa Souchet – 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

SOLIDARITES, an international humanitarian aid organisation which has been working in Afghanistan for 24 years without interruption, calls for the reality of the humanitarian situation not to be forgotten at election time in this country ravaged by war, poverty and drought.

On October 9th, Afghanistan will witness the first democratic presidential election in its history. The unexpected success of voter enrollment is very encouraging, but must not mask the risks hanging over the future of this country. Firstly, the timetable which has been imposed for the political peace process could also weaken this process. There is the immediate risk of massive fraud, or of ethnic or regional votes bringing out opposition between the capital city and the provinces : in this case, would the official results be considered valid and be accepted ? Secondly, there are long-term risks like the huge increase in opium and heroin production in 2004, the difficulty in demobilising countless armed fighters, the attacks launched by the Taleban, all these risks taken together hang heavily in the balance against the peace process. Finally, and of greatest concern to us as humanitarian workers, there is the severe poverty in which Afghans live their daily lives.

The year 2004 is the sixth consecutive year of drought to hit Afghanistan since 1997, threatening agriculture and consequently the food resources of the Afghan population, 70% of whom subsist from the land. 17 of the country’s 33 provinces, especially in the West, the South-West and the South, are directly affected by this scourge, which represents, according to the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) over half the country’s harvest. The 2004 harvest, according once again to the FAO and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), is set to recede by 43% compared to the 2003 harvest.

In the regions north of the Hindou Kouch mountains, out-of-season rains and devastating attacks by insects have also caused poor harvests. Elsewhere, quite simply, nothing has grown. In the North-West of the country, it is sometimes necessary to dig 50 metres down before finding the water table. The resulting 30% rise in wheat prices in the space of twelve months is intolerable for the poorest and most vulnerable individuals.

The tragic effects of drought and hunger are made worse by the slow pace of reconstruction, under-equipped public healthcare facilities, insufficient access to drinking water and irrigation facilities, and insufficient infrastructure (roads, bridges) to provide access to the most isolated areas.

A few figures (source : United Nations) provide a clearer idea of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan :

SOLIDARITES has been fighting relentlessly to assist the Afghan population for the last 24 years. Today, our team comprises ten volunteers and around 200 Afghan employees, operates out of 8 bases (Kabul, Yakawolang, Saighan, Roy Doab, Kamard, Shibar et Tarpach), and is carrying out the following essential humanitarian aid programmes to meet the needs of the populations in the most isolated and vulnerable regions of the country :

These vital programmes are being implemented with the support of our donors and institutional partners : European Union (ECHO, Europaid), United Nations (FAO UNAMA, WFP, UNOPS), the British Government (DFID) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The security issues raised by political stabilisation in Afghanistan, however crucial they may be at a time when the presidential election brings tensions and frustrations to the forefront, must not turn the international community’s attention away from the humanitarian situation. Without determined, appropriate aid, backed up by sufficient means, Afghanistan will not be able to attain stability, and all those who seek a return to chaos will reap strength from the frustration, poverty and suffering of those left on the sidelines. In this regard, the deliberate attacks on organisations providing assistance (NGO, United Nations mission) show just how important this assistance is in determining the future of Afghanistan. SOLIDARITES calls for all international aid organisations to remain fully mobilised, accompanying the Afghans whilst respecting their liberty, their independence and their identity.

To support SOLIDARITES’ humanitarian aid in Afghanistan
please send your donations to : SOLIDARITES. BP 100- 75020 Paris
or to
SOLIDARITES - Villa Souchet – 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

Press contacts : Alain Boinet O6 82 59 29 O7; Communication Department 01 43 15 13 13

SOLIDARITES, an international humanitarian aid organisation, sends out an SOS for emergency humanitarian aid for the displaced populations in Darfur, and launches a press campaign to inform and mobilise the general public.

The SOLIDARITES team of 11 volunteers in Darfur (soon to be 14), is currently working round the clock to provide emergency relief (food aid, access to drinking water and hygiene, essential survival materials) to over 100,000 displaced persons in the Nyala region in southern Darfur. In parallel, our volunteers are carrying out active evaluations, night and day, in order to locate displaced populations who have fled the violence and are now isolated and destitute, so as to provide them with aid.

Through these evaluations, we have just located a encampment of displaced persons at Muhajaria in the Shaeria area, which is currently accommodating over 15,000 people, and whose numbers are growing daily. This population lacks all basic commodities, in particular access to drinking water (there is not a single water point at the camp !), basic hygiene and food aid. We have set up an operational base in Muhajaria, which is providing emergency aid : access to fresh water, sanitation, essential survival materials and food aid. But how many other isolated encampments are still waiting for help, how many other camps are being set up at this very moment due to the continuing violence ?

SOLIDARITES calls upon the international community to make every effort to protect the civilian population who are victims of violence in Darfur, and to mobilise the necessary means to respond to their humanitarian needs which are growing more critical day by day.

Indeed, despite an improvement in humanitarian assistance in Darfur, international aid is too slow and insufficient, and is suffering from a serious shortage of transportation means, further heightened by the rainy season which is flooding tracks. Food aid is only meeting around 40% of the victims’ needs and, according to the WHO, only around 47% of the displaced populations have access to fresh water, causing a high risk of horrific epidemics. We have now gone beyond the emergency threshold and are soon likely to be faced with a true humanitarian disaster.

Everything must be done, now, to win the race against death in Darfur and save as many lives as possible. Between 6000 and 10000 people are dying each month from disease or violence.

To support SOLIDARITES emergency humanitarian aid in Darfur
please send your donations to : SOLIDARITES Urgence Darfour- BP 100- 75020 Paris
or to
SOLIDARITES - Villa Souchet – 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

In the Darfur region of western Sudan, SOLIDARITES, an international humanitarian aid organisation, is making assessments of vital needs among the displaced population and launching emergency aid programmes. SOLIDARITES sends out an appeal for assistance for the Darfur population.

This region, which has fallen prey to war, looting and horrific exactions for the last year and a half, is now facing the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world today : nearly 10,000 people have already been killed, countless villages have been devastated and burned to the ground, a million people have been displaced within the Darfur region and at least 180,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring Chad.

Families fled with neither livestock nor food, and stocks are running out in the villages which have provided them with refuge. At communal camps, access to clean water and basic hygiene facilities is often non-existant, coupled with the fact that certain areas, such as Mellam, have been hit by drought for the past 3 years !

The rainy season which is set to commence in June-July, continuing until September-October; will make it very difficult or even impossible to reach large numbers of the vulnerable population in this region, and will also speed the spread of epidemics. Cholera and water-borne diseases will seek out frail individuals, already exhausted by hunger and their continuous flight to escape attack. Many lives are in danger.

The SOLIDARITES team in Sudan has just finished a needs assessment which is now being followed by an emergency aid programme to assist displaced populations in southern Darfour in the Nyala, Mellam and Nertiti municipalities, providing them with food aid, clean water and basic hygiene.

Every day and every action counts in the face of such a serious situation which could become catastrophic, and when the fate of thousands of people is at stake.

To support SOLIDARITES’ emergency humanitarian aid in Darfur,
Please send your donations to : SOLIDARITES Urgence Darfour- BP 100- 75020 Paris
or to
SOLIDARITES Urgence Darfour- Villa Souchet – 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

Press contacts:
Service Communication 01 43 15 13 13

Humanitarian organizations denounce
the violation of international conventions in Iraq
25 April 2004

Several international humanitarian organizations, members of the NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq, denounce the current violations of international conventions aiming to protect civilians during armed conflict.

These humanitarian organizations are alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the Iraqi population since the 5th of April 2004, resulting from the actions of various combatants. These humanitarian organizations cite the following as examples:

These humanitarian organizations call on all parties to the conflict, while pursuing peaceful means of resolution to current hostilities, to ensure they:

This media release is a joint statement of the following humanitarian organizations :

The NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI) was established in April 2003 as a coordination body for international NGOs operational in the country. The NCCI’s role is to create a platform for joint NGO initiatives and exchange of information in order to assist aid efforts towards the people of Iraq.

Contact presse : Alain Boinet, Fondateur-Directeur Général
Sébastien le Clézio, Responsable Communication, tél : 01 43 15 13 13
Pour en savoir plus sur SOLIDARITES, consultez notre site Internet : www.solidarites.org

Pour soutenir l'aide humanitaire d'urgence de SOLIDARITES envoyer vos dons à :
SOLIDARITES - BP 100- 75020 Paris ou à SOLIDARITES - Villa Souchet - 105 Avenue Gambetta - 75020 Paris

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