ON Sunday, April 29, the brutal conflict which began in Darfur, western Sudan, before spilling into Chad and the Central African Republic, reaches its fourth anniversary.

More than 300,000 people have died in the conflict and more than two million have fled their homes and villages through fear of rape, mutilation or murder. The majority of those who were able to flee have been living in overcrowded makeshift camps for months, or even years, and shortages of clean water and food are acute.

So far little has been done to stem this crisis. Southampton may seem far removed from these horrific events but we can take action. On April 29, tens of thousands in cities around the world will take part in a global day of action for the people of Darfur to call for an effective peacekeeping force. In London, thousands will demonstrate outside the Sudanese Embassy.

Do join the London demonstration if you can. Or visit www.amnesty.org.uk/crisis to take action.

MARY BROWN, Amnesty International, Southampton Group.