Africa: More aid for Darfur region of Sudan
International donations to keep aid workers airborne
An injection of $18 million in donations is to keep humanitarian workers flying to remote locations in Sudan’s strife–torn Darfur region through to October has been agreed, the United Nations [UN] World Food Programme [WFP], which runs the air operation, said recently.
A $5.5 million donation from the European Commission led the package of new financing for WFP humanitarian air service, which also included $4.9 million from the US, $3 million from Denmark, along with a donation from Greece and a $4.2 million contribution from other UN funds.
Operational since 2004, the air service carries passengers and cargo throughout Darfur and is also used for medical evacuations. The WPF says the service has proved particularly useful in recent months due to the increase of attacks on humanitarian vehicles.
The volatile security situation and lack of infrastructure, combined with the rainy season, which has now started and will last until October, means that helicopter travel is often the only way that humanitarian workers from UN agencies and non–governmental organisations can reach people affected by the Darfur conflict.
The Darfur region, which is roughly the size of France, has been one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters since 2003, when fighting broke out between Government forces, allied Janjaweed militias and rebel groups.
For further information visit the United Nations website at: www.un.org.
BACK TO AFRICA NEWS ARCHIVE 2007
Mind+body wellbeing | Government policy | Economics | Work and training | Education | Age | Families | Caregiving | Nutrition | Exercise | Housing |
Poverty | Abuse | Human rights | Prisons | War | Transport
