There is only one year left for Sudanese parties to salvage a 2005 peace agreement that ended more than 20 years of war and requires a pivotal referendum next January on unity or secession for Southern Sudan. As Sudan marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the International Rescue Committee calls for urgent international engagement to keep the precarious deal on track and avert a return to full scale violent conflict, upheaval and humanitarian crisis.

John Akot was just a teenager when violent civil war in Sudan forced him to walk across inhospitable terrain for weeks to seek shelter in Ethiopia. Today, he's back in Southern Sudan working with the IRC, and has hope for his country's future. This is John's story in his words: "I was born in Warrap state. Education wasn't seen as a big thing then. I would go to school in the morning and then come back and look after the cattle. Sometimes I used to steal one of my family's cows and sell it to get money for books or uniform. My brother used to warn me against it!

From 25 November to 10 December, the International Rescue Committee is observing the "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence."

By Joanne Offer This rainy season will bring sweet relief to many in Southern Sudan - from the farmers who've just planted this year's crop, to the villagers who've seen their water supply evaporate during the long, harsh dry season. Yet it won't be all good. The rains will almost inevitably bring flooding to huge areas of low-lying Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, creating ideal conditions for diseases like malaria to flourish.

The mass expulsion of humanitarian aid organisations from Darfur is having immediate and alarming consequences, with thousands of people already being denied critical health services. The government of Sudan terminated work licenses of the International Rescue Committee and 12 other international aid groups in Darfur yesterday and today, decimating the relief effort in a region where more than two million people remain displaced and dependent on foreign assistance.

The International Rescue Committee, which launched humanitarian aid programmes in Darfur in early 2004, continues to provide vital health, water, sanitation and education services for more than 650,000 people affected by the ongoing crisis. Several other programs, however, have been recently shut down. The IRC was among a number of international aid organisations assessed in June by the Government of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission.

The mass expulsion of humanitarian aid organisations from Darfur is having immediate and alarming consequences, with thousands of people already being denied critical health services. The government of Sudan terminated work licenses of the International Rescue Committee and 12 other international aid groups in Darfur yesterday and today, decimating the relief effort in a region where more than two million people remain displaced and dependent on foreign assistance.

Not On Our Watch, founded by Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Jerry Weintraub and David Pressman, has awarded the International Rescue Committee $260,000 (about £175,000) to support critical health services at seven clinics in North Darfur. “As the conflict in Darfur continues, victims of violence remain desperately in need of basic support services,” says Matt Damon.

The International Rescue Committee, which launched humanitarian aid programmes in Darfur in early 2004, continues to provide vital health, water, sanitation and education services for more than 650,000 people affected by the ongoing crisis. Several other programs, however, have been recently shut down. The IRC was among a number of international aid organisations assessed in June by the Government of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission.