Concern calls for ceasefire in Darfur
Source: Concern Worldwide - Ireland
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
New violence threatens world's largest aid
response
Half a million people increasingly vulnerable after evacuations of more than 250 staff in ten days. Immediate ceasefire needed says ConcernNearly half a million people have less access to humanitarian assistance as a result of increasing military activity, banditry and direct violence against aid workers in early December.
The insecurity led to 250 humanitarian staff – from key locations across Darfur serving some 480,000 people – being temporarily evacuated.
Aid workers are facing unprecedented difficulties at a time when humanitarian needs are rising fast, said a group of leading international aid agencies working in the conflict-stricken region.
Already more than a third of Darfur is effectively out of bounds to aid agencies. Evacuations and new violence in December mean access levels are now even lower.A ceasefire is desperately needed to allow aid workers reach those in need says Concern Worldwide Regional Director Angela O'Neill.
Every day brings more death and delay to aid efforts. Concern Worldwide, in association with other agencies –International Rescue Committee (IRC), Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam International Goal, and World Vision – say: All parties must urgently agree – and maintain – a ceasefire with immediate effect. They must ensure that aid workers are able to reach people in need. With access to people in need already at its lowest point since mid-2004, five major areas suffered significant withdrawals of staff in the first week of December alone: El Fasher and Kutum in North Darfur; El Daein and Shearia in South Darfur; and Kulbus in West Darfur.
Although hopefully temporary, such evacuations are becoming more and more frequent, restricting the massive humanitarian response in a region where nearly four million people are now dependent on aid agencies for essential services such as food, water and healthcare.
Humanitarian agencies in eastern Chad are also finding it increasingly difficult to operate.
Half a million people increasingly vulnerable after evacuations of more than 250 staff in ten days. Immediate ceasefire needed says ConcernNearly half a million people have less access to humanitarian assistance as a result of increasing military activity, banditry and direct violence against aid workers in early December.
The insecurity led to 250 humanitarian staff – from key locations across Darfur serving some 480,000 people – being temporarily evacuated.
Aid workers are facing unprecedented difficulties at a time when humanitarian needs are rising fast, said a group of leading international aid agencies working in the conflict-stricken region.
Already more than a third of Darfur is effectively out of bounds to aid agencies. Evacuations and new violence in December mean access levels are now even lower.A ceasefire is desperately needed to allow aid workers reach those in need says Concern Worldwide Regional Director Angela O'Neill.
Every day brings more death and delay to aid efforts. Concern Worldwide, in association with other agencies –International Rescue Committee (IRC), Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam International Goal, and World Vision – say: All parties must urgently agree – and maintain – a ceasefire with immediate effect. They must ensure that aid workers are able to reach people in need. With access to people in need already at its lowest point since mid-2004, five major areas suffered significant withdrawals of staff in the first week of December alone: El Fasher and Kutum in North Darfur; El Daein and Shearia in South Darfur; and Kulbus in West Darfur.
Although hopefully temporary, such evacuations are becoming more and more frequent, restricting the massive humanitarian response in a region where nearly four million people are now dependent on aid agencies for essential services such as food, water and healthcare.
Humanitarian agencies in eastern Chad are also finding it increasingly difficult to operate.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
