Sudan facing one of worst humanitarian crises: United Nations

ROME, May 5 (Reuters) – Sudan is facing a massive humanitarian crisis after armed conflict forced more than one million people from their homes in the western Darfur region, a U.N. agency said Wednesday after sending a team to the area.

“This is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with so many people in the most belligerent way being chased from their homes,” said James Morris, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program.

The group said in a statement that over 100,000 Sudanese refugees had fled across the border to Chad since fighting between the government and rebels began in February 2003.

Morris recently led a high level humanitarian mission to Sudan and to refugee camps in Chad.

Fighting has persisted in west Sudan despite a cease-fire on April 8. WFP said repeated attacks by militia, including the burning of villages and widespread looting, had destroyed social services and left people destitute.

WFP urged the Sudanese government to accelerate efforts to control armed militias and provide protection for displaced people before the rainy season starts, which could make the situation worse.