Aid need rises in Sudan’s Darfur after clashes – Red Cross

Nov 23, 2005 (GENEVA) — The international Red Cross said Wednesday that western Sudan needs more humanitarian aid because of violent clashes in recent weeks that have forced some 15,000 people to flee their homes.

Thousands of people have arrived at Gereida camp in the Sudan state of South Darfur after recent fighting which forced people to flee more than 20 villages, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

“All were hungry, frightened and exhausted after their ordeal,” the ICRC said in a statement.

The Geneva-based organization said it was boosting food ship, ments to the region and distributing clothes, blankets and soap as well as tarpaulins for shelter to the camp residents.

Because the number of displaced people in Gereida has now reached 60,000 – three times the local population – the ICRC said water was scarce, but it was seeking “temporary solutions” until existing wells could be extended or new ones built.

The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government, accusing it of neglect and repression of Sudanese of African origin. The government is accused of supporting a counterinsurgency led by an Arab militia group.

The U.N. estimates that 180,000 people have died in the conflict, mainly through famine and disease. Several million more have either fled into neighboring Chad or inside Sudan.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan reported Monday to the U.N. Security Council that Darfur had seen “a dangerous increase” in violence in recent months that has affected the delivery of humanitarian aid and claimed the lives of civilians.

(AP/ST)