Egypt sends relief aid to Sudan ‘s Darfur region

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

CAIRO, August 02, 2004 (AP) — Egypt Monday began airlifting relief aid to millions of Sudanese people in dire need for food, medicine and other basics due to a 17-month conflict in the western Darfur region.

One Hercules C-130 cargo plane left Cairo and will be followed by four others carrying medicine, tents, vaccination, ambulances and a medical team, Defense Ministry officials said.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the supplies were donated by the Egyptian Red Crescent with the help of the ministry.

Earlier this week, Egypt sent 1,000 tons of food to the displaced Sudanese in Darfur.

An estimated 30,000 people have been killed in the 17-month conflict; 1 million people have been forced to flee their homes; and an estimated 2.2 million people are in urgent need of food, medicine and other basics.

International aid organizations have accused the Sudanese government of supporting the Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, in a brutal campaign to drive Sudanese citizens of African origin out of Darfur.