SLM’s Al-Nur slams UN’s Holmes statement on Darfur improvement

May 10, 2009 (PARIS) — A Darfur rebel leader lashed out at statements made by UN relief top official on the improvement of the humanitarian situation in the troubled region, saying more than one and half million people still suffering from the expulsion of aid groups since last March.

In a press conference held Sunday evening, the Undersecretary of the UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes said Darfur humanitarian situation is improving thanks to government efforts. He also said that Khartoum agreed to authorize three US groups to work in the troubled region.

Abdel Wahid Al-Nur regretted Holmes statements saying this is most sad statement made by a UN relief official because it comes at a time where more than one million and half people in Jebel Marah are deprived from food and medication as direct result of the eviction of 13 aid groups from Darfur.

He also added that 18 displaced camps in Darfur suffer also from the luck of water, food and healthcare due to the expulsion of the international nongovernmental organizations.

Al-Nur said the UN official wanted to reward the Sudanese government to cover his failure to do something for the war affected population. “Holmes can avoid such embarrassing situation by acknowledging his failure,” he said.

“But with such statements now he is deceiving the world.”

Some 4.7 million people rely on humanitarian aid in Darfur. Many of the camps, where some 2.7 million residents headed after the violence drove them from their homes, lie in flood plains.

(ST)