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22/07/2004
$200m funding shortfall threatens progress in Sudan crisis: UN
Humanitarian assistance for the crisis-hit Darfur region is under threat from a $200 million shortfall in funding, and a lack of will from the Sudanese government, the UN has said.
The UN has received just $145 million so far of the $349 million in funds it has requested for the Darfur region – the UN called for helicopters and other equipment to help deliver aid.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York that the Sudanese government has not taken "adequate steps" to meet its commitments to disarm the Arab-dominated Janjaweed militias that have conducted deadly attacks against Darfur's black African population.
The more than one million people who are internally displaced in Darfur have a "right to be nervous", Mr Annan said, adding they need to see Khartoum take practical measures to improve security before they can be expected to return to their home villages.
The Secretary-General warned that the Sudanese government "doesn't have forever" to meet pledges - such as disarming the Janjaweed and punishing those responsible for human rights abuses - it made on 3 July in a joint communiqué with the UN.
Senior UN officials have described the situation unfolding in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, where about 180,000 people live as refugees, as "the world's worst humanitarian crisis". The conflict began early last year when two rebel groups took up arms against the Sudanese government.
Mr Annan said the international community has a responsibility to step up pressure on Sudan to meet its commitments and on all sides to negotiate a peace agreement "in good faith."
(gmcg)
The UN has received just $145 million so far of the $349 million in funds it has requested for the Darfur region – the UN called for helicopters and other equipment to help deliver aid.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York that the Sudanese government has not taken "adequate steps" to meet its commitments to disarm the Arab-dominated Janjaweed militias that have conducted deadly attacks against Darfur's black African population.
The more than one million people who are internally displaced in Darfur have a "right to be nervous", Mr Annan said, adding they need to see Khartoum take practical measures to improve security before they can be expected to return to their home villages.
The Secretary-General warned that the Sudanese government "doesn't have forever" to meet pledges - such as disarming the Janjaweed and punishing those responsible for human rights abuses - it made on 3 July in a joint communiqué with the UN.
Senior UN officials have described the situation unfolding in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, where about 180,000 people live as refugees, as "the world's worst humanitarian crisis". The conflict began early last year when two rebel groups took up arms against the Sudanese government.
Mr Annan said the international community has a responsibility to step up pressure on Sudan to meet its commitments and on all sides to negotiate a peace agreement "in good faith."
(gmcg)
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20 August 2004
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
17 June 2004
Annan to visit Sudan over humanitarian crisis
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced plans to travel to Sudan, after the world body earlier this week accused the Sudanese government of being responsible for the slaughter of dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country.
Annan to visit Sudan over humanitarian crisis
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced plans to travel to Sudan, after the world body earlier this week accused the Sudanese government of being responsible for the slaughter of dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country.
15 June 2004
Civilians 'slaughtered' by Sudanese government forces
The UN has accused the Sudanese government of slaughtering dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country. A UN human rights expert who is on a fact-finding mission in the country said that she had also received reports of mass killings by government-sponsored militias in the Malakal region.
Civilians 'slaughtered' by Sudanese government forces
The UN has accused the Sudanese government of slaughtering dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country. A UN human rights expert who is on a fact-finding mission in the country said that she had also received reports of mass killings by government-sponsored militias in the Malakal region.
29 July 2004
UN mission to assess Darfur plight concludes
An observer group of UN staff, Sudanese officials and representatives of concerned countries today wrapped up its three-day visit to Darfur, where local civilians have been fleeing militia attacks, by touring a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region's west.
UN mission to assess Darfur plight concludes
An observer group of UN staff, Sudanese officials and representatives of concerned countries today wrapped up its three-day visit to Darfur, where local civilians have been fleeing militia attacks, by touring a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region's west.
28 October 2004
Darfur aid hampered by security and transport problems
Lack of security and restrictions on transport are hampering the delivery and distribution of humanitarian relief to the massive population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the strife-torn Darfur region, the UN Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS) has reported.
Darfur aid hampered by security and transport problems
Lack of security and restrictions on transport are hampering the delivery and distribution of humanitarian relief to the massive population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the strife-torn Darfur region, the UN Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS) has reported.
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