Menu
28/10/2004
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.
Refugees also say they are being harassed and intimidated by police or local authorities to return to their home villages or to explain their relationship with rebel groups in Darfur, the scene of a deadly conflict since early last year.
More than 1.45 million IDPs live in Darfur and another 200,000 people have fled to neighbouring Chad as refugees because of attacks by militias and fighting between two rebel groups and Sudanese government forces.
A UN recent survey found that 22% of children five and under in Darfur are malnourished and nearly half of all families do not have enough food to eat.
Meanwhile, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said in New York that the operations of humanitarian agencies in North Darfur State have "become limited" because some roads remain closed to them. Other areas have become dangerous for transporting aid supplies.
Last Saturday, forces from the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) hijacked seven commercial trucks on a road about 120 kilometres east of the state capital El Fasher.
In West Darfur and South Darfur States, UNAMIS said IDPs have been harassed by police about their links to the SLA, one of the two rebel groups. Many IDPs are also pressured to return home, the UN said.
Elsewhere, the World Food Programme has reported that it had completed its polio vaccination scheme in West Darfur and reached more than 90% of the target population in North Darfur.
(gmcg/sp)
Refugees also say they are being harassed and intimidated by police or local authorities to return to their home villages or to explain their relationship with rebel groups in Darfur, the scene of a deadly conflict since early last year.
More than 1.45 million IDPs live in Darfur and another 200,000 people have fled to neighbouring Chad as refugees because of attacks by militias and fighting between two rebel groups and Sudanese government forces.
A UN recent survey found that 22% of children five and under in Darfur are malnourished and nearly half of all families do not have enough food to eat.
Meanwhile, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said in New York that the operations of humanitarian agencies in North Darfur State have "become limited" because some roads remain closed to them. Other areas have become dangerous for transporting aid supplies.
Last Saturday, forces from the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) hijacked seven commercial trucks on a road about 120 kilometres east of the state capital El Fasher.
In West Darfur and South Darfur States, UNAMIS said IDPs have been harassed by police about their links to the SLA, one of the two rebel groups. Many IDPs are also pressured to return home, the UN said.
Elsewhere, the World Food Programme has reported that it had completed its polio vaccination scheme in West Darfur and reached more than 90% of the target population in North Darfur.
(gmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 August 2004
UN to vaccinate children trapped behind Sudan's rebel frontlines
Rebel groups in Sudan's western Darfur region have agreed to allow some 500,000 children cut off from regular health services to be vaccinated against such potentially killer diseases as measles and polio, the UN has announced.
UN to vaccinate children trapped behind Sudan's rebel frontlines
Rebel groups in Sudan's western Darfur region have agreed to allow some 500,000 children cut off from regular health services to be vaccinated against such potentially killer diseases as measles and polio, the UN has announced.
31 August 2004
Darfur refugees still at risk of 'rape and violence'
The displaced inhabitants of the Sudanese region of Darfur are traumatised and humiliated, and remain at constant risk of rape and violence, a UN humanitarian official has said.
Darfur refugees still at risk of 'rape and violence'
The displaced inhabitants of the Sudanese region of Darfur are traumatised and humiliated, and remain at constant risk of rape and violence, a UN humanitarian official has said.
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.
06 August 2004
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
03 August 2004
UN expert concerned at 'human rights violations' in Sudan
A UN human rights expert, returning from a week-long mission to Sudan's troubled Darfur region, has said that “persistent insecurity and human rights violations” are continuing.
UN expert concerned at 'human rights violations' in Sudan
A UN human rights expert, returning from a week-long mission to Sudan's troubled Darfur region, has said that “persistent insecurity and human rights violations” are continuing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
