Donors give 18 mln dollars for WFP operations in Darfur

June 11, 2007 (NAIROBI) — The World Food Programme (WFP) has received 18 million U.S. dollars from several donors to help aid workers keep flying to remote locations in Sudan’s region of Darfur.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, the WFP said the donation would enable the agency’s Humanitarian Air Service (WFP-HAS) to keep operating until October.

“We are very grateful for these generous donations,” said Kenro Oshidari, WFP’s representative in Sudan.

“WFP-HAS has proved to be particularly useful in recent months as a result of the alarming increase in attacks on humanitarian vehicles,” said Oshidari.

To date this year, the UN says that some 70 cars, belonging to either international aid organizations or African Union peacekeeping troops,have been stopped on the roads by gunmen and frequently stolen.

“Without the service offered by WFP-HAS, many of the 12,000 humanitarian workers in Darfur would not be able to get out to the field – and that’s especially true because carjackings have recently been on the rise. It is becoming ever more dangerous for our staff to use the roads.”

WFP said 5.5 million dollar donation from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department led the package of new financing.

The air service has been flying in Sudan since 2004. Currently operating a fleet of six helicopters and nine fixed wing aircraft, it carries passengers and cargo throughout Darfur and is also used for medical evacuations.

(Xinhua)