Western Sudan too dangerous for road convoys

DARFUR, Sudan, Feb 16, 2004 (UPI) — U.N. officials said Monday that rebels have made it too dangerous to take aid into the Sudan region of Darfur, the BBC reported.

Dr. Mukesh Kapila said because aid convoys were still being attacked by militias, international support is needed for an airlift for the 1 million people estimated to be in need — 100,000 of which are displaced from neighboring Chad.

Kapila said road convoys were also at risk from land mines.
He said small aircraft were taking some aid into the remote communities, but it was no substitute for road access.

“The road options are by far the most important but that clearly depends on security and that’s what we are pursuing with the government authorities,” he said.