9 June 2004
The government has announced an extra £15m to help address the humanitarian emergency in Sudan.
The United Nations estimates that 2m people have been affected by the ongoing conflict in Darfur in western Sudan. Around 130,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring Chad.
The crisis results from fighting between Darfur-based opposition groups and the government of Sudan and its supported militia groups - known more widely as the Janjaweed. Following negotiations brokered by Chad, the two main opposition groups and Sudan’s government signed a 45-day ceasefire agreement on 8 April but attacks by the Janjaweed have continued.
Announcing the extra funding, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that the situation in Sudan was the most serious humanitarian emergency in the world today:
"We need urgent and decisive action to stop the situation deteriorating."
The Sudanese government has given a firm commitment to fast-track the delivery of assistance, to allow international agencies to set up and bring in food, medicine and vital equipments immediately.
Mr Benn added:
"We will be following up on their effective implementation. Action must also now be taken to bring irregular forces and militias under control."
Hilary Benn has visited three camps for displaced people in Sudan this week and seen some of the humanitarian projects. He has also met UN agencies and non-governmental organisations to hear about the work they are doing.
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