HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DARFUR, SUDAN, SAID TO BE AMONG WORST IN WORLD

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DARFUR, SUDAN, SAID TO BE AMONG WORST IN WORLD

NEW YORK, 8 December (OCHA) -- Tom Eric Vraalsen, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Sudan visited the west, north and south Darfur areas on 6/7 December.  He noted a significant worsening of humanitarian and security conditions, which now affect one million people.  He said he was “shocked” by the conditions in which internally displaced persons were living.

Mr. Vraalsen reported that denial of access was the greatest single impediment to humanitarian efforts in Darfur.  As a consequence of growing insecurity and access constraints, the humanitarian crisis had reached unprecedented proportions, with one million war-affected.

On a similar mission in September, Mr. Vraalsen saw that humanitarian efforts could partially cover needs, but now humanitarian operations have come to a virtual standstill, with conditions in inaccessible areas certain to be even worse.

In his meeting with the Tripartite Committee -- comprising representatives of the Sudanese Government, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and of the Government of Chad, as a mediator -- Mr. Vraalsen strongly urged the parties to stop fighting and renew the ceasefire, with the participation of all concerned, including militias.

In his exchanges with Sudanese authorities, the Secretary-General’s Envoy stressed the Government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of all Sudanese.  In order to address root causes of the conflict, Mr. Vraalsen further encouraged Sudanese officials to foster inter-tribal dialogue, as well as to devote adequate resources to development efforts in the region. 

The United Nations has consistently received reports of systematic raids against civilian populations.  These attacks have reportedly included burning and looting of villages, large-scale killings, and abductions.  Humanitarian workers have also been targeted, with staff being abducted and relief trucks looted.

On Friday, 5 December, Jan Egeland, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the humanitarian situation in Darfur was now one of the worst in the world.  Fighting between forces loyal to the Government of Sudan and the SLM/A had displaced more than 670,000 people from their homes.  Mr. Egeland called for improved access, respect for international humanitarian law, and urged donors to support the Greater Darfur Initiative, a $22 million humanitarian appeal.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY, tel.:  (917) 367 5126, mobile: (917) 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.:  (41 22) 917 2653, mobile: 41(0) 79 472 4570.