Chad’s conflict threatens Darfur aid workers

April 15, 2006 (DUBLIN) — An Irish charity is warning its workers will have to pull out of Darfur in Sudan just as the area faces what the UN has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

The evacuation alert has been called as increasing conflict in neighbouring Chad spills over the border, endangering both refugees and aid workers.

Angela O’Neill, Concern’s regional director for Sudan, told RTE radio: “The crisis in Darfur has been going on now for over three years and the insecurity there is just getting worse and therefore delivering aid and operating in the area is becoming increasingly more and more difficult.”

She said heavy gunfire and mortar shelling had been heard in the area by aid workers on Thursday.

“The worry is that the rebels fighting the Chadian government will cross the border, if they are not successful, back into Darfur.

“There is the a possibility of the Chadian government soldiers will come after them.”

She said the resultant battle could lead to a response by Sudanese soldiers, with the region then descending into chaos.

Ms O’Neill said all aid agencies were currently on standby to evacuate its staff.

She said sustained international pressure was needed in a bid to resolve the conflict in the Horn of Africa but this pressure had stalled over the last six to eight months.

“There is a continuing precarious situation for over 2m people living in aid camps along the border.”

(Irish Independent)