Plea over Darfur crisis

The world is facing a huge human tragedy in Darfur unless the international community intervenes, a humanitarian organisation said today.

Speaking after a visit to the region, Concern Worldwide chief executive Tom Arnold called for political action to enforce a ceasefire in the war-torn region.

The UN has warned that if the security situation doesn’t improve, it may pull out its humanitarian aid teams.

Concern claims that 12 aid workers have been killed in Darfur since last July and a further five are missing.

Mr Arnold said: “Unless there is increased recognition, within Sudan and internationally, of the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, we will be faced with a huge long-term human tragedy.

“The only way to prevent this is for urgent political action to improve security in the short-term and to start a meaningful longer term peace process.”

He added: I have met people in West Darfur who were forced to flee their villages by militia who had also stolen their animals and crops.“

“The growing insecurity means that it is more difficult for aid agencies to access the population,” Mr Arnold added.

Mr Arnold also visited refugee camps run by local programmes assisted by Concern.

“People are afraid to go outside the camps for fear of being attacked. One local leader said they were living in an open prison. I met nobody who said they were willing to return to their villages without a major improvement in security,” he said.