The UN plan to take steps (at last) to disarm the militia and improve security in Dafur.

But we need to play our part too. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is a coalition of aid agencies including the Red Cross, Tearfund, Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children (see full list of members). Read here what these agencies are doing to improve the humanitarian situation in Dafur.

The numbers are staggering - 50,000 deaths and rising. Over a million homeless. It is easy to forget that these are real families, like the men, women and children you have met in the stories on this site (For what it's worth, some of those refugees in Chad are Fulani).

Please make a contribution to help at least one or two suffering families. DEC makes it easy for you to contribute online - they have a secure credit card form.

Money raised by the DEC appeal will help provide those fleeing the violence in Sudan and eastern Chad with shelter, clean water and sanitation. It will also provide emergency food aid and basic items such as water buckets, blankets and soap.

Refugees are sleeping in the open, they are running out of food and drinking water is scarce. Floodwaters from recent rains are washing human and animal waste into water sources, raising fears of outbreaks of disease. Time is running out for refugees both inside and outside Sudan.

• $88 (£44) will buy emergency food rations for a family of five for two months
• $168 (£84) will buy two household kits including mosquito net, blanket, water container and kitchen utensils

Please give generously. Alla hokku jam.