Aid agencies say new violence threatens humanitarian response in Darfur

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and five other humanitarian aid agencies expressed concern that half a million people are increasingly vulnerable after evacuations of more than 250 staff in ten days. The agencies say a ceasefire is desperately needed.

Nearly 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. Read more