$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)