A "peace" pact with the Taliban broke
down 11 days ago when security forces began an assault to push the militants
back into their territory. The rebels,
well-established in their stronghold, had begun to encroach upon Islamabad in a
blatant grab for land and power.

The result when the two forces
met was volatile. The government is now preparing
for up to 500,000 internal refugees, the largest displacement crisis in
Pakistan's history.

Even when the refugees arrive at
refugee camps, it's not a guarantee of safety or comfort. Jacob Kramer is with the Christian Reformed
World Relief Committee. He says,"These camps are now full. New places will have to be made in order to
help them and have an opportunity to distribute the most essential things to
maintain life." 

It's hot, overcrowded, and there
are inadequate sanitation facilities as well as a lack of electricity. Add to that: diseases and a lack of medical
help, and the situation deteriorates quickly.
Kramer says their teams are mobilizing. "We've been in contact with our
partners, and they are trying to get a more detailed picture so that we can
start with food and non-food responses to help the people." 

CRWRC reaches out in God's name
to people who are struggling with poverty, hunger, disaster, and injustice to
help them find lasting ways to improve their lives.

The teams are the
hands and feet of Christ in this horrific situation. Kramer urges people to "pray for the people, that God's grace may
abide with them and peace may return as soon as possible. This is a
population which has been tormented from so many sides, so often, that they are
highly-affected by trauma."

Click here if you can help.

According to research teams, a huge underground lake has
been found. The water reservoir lies
underneath a former highland lake, which has been obscured by sand. 

Low-intensity tribal conflicts, fed by decades of scarce
water and food sources, eventually blew up into a four-year civil war, where
200,000 lost their lives and over 1.5 million people have been displaced.

It's enough to make those working to find solutions
ecstatic. But it also doesn't change the
immediate problems created by the fighting in Darfur.

World Vision International's Rose Kimeu paints a grim
picture of the crisis in Darfur. Despite hopeful news of a solution to the
water wars, at least three displacement camps in South
Darfur are completely full, but the number of people fleeing the
violence in the region continues to rise.

World Vision has had to increase its food distribution sites
and expand work in several camps. They are supporting 24 temporary schools for 9,000 children;
22 Child-Friendly Spaces where
8,000 displaced children regularly visit for supervised psycho-social, sports,
and learning activities; and seven Women's
Empowerment Centers where some 4,000 women are receiving hygiene and
AIDS education, vocation skills training, and trauma support.

Security remains a serious challenge for NGOs working in Darfur. Pray for the team while acting as the hands
and feet of Christ, as they are stretched thinner yet. Click here if you can help.