Egypt sends emergency aid to Darfur

CAIRO, Oct 14, 2004 (Xinhua) — An Egyptian military cargo plane carrying tons of medical and food aid landed on Thursday at the West Darfur capital Al-Fashir’s airport, Egyptian official news agency MENA reported.

Egyptian army contingent sent to the area have been distributing the medical and food aid at refugee camp of Abul Shouk camp. It is reported that most of the refugees at the camp suffer from mal- nutrition and infections.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered an airlift to carry aid to the Darfuris and the military cargo plane that arrived on Thursday was just one in many shipments sent to the troubled area.

In early October, Mubarak was invited to attend a five-way African summit on Darfur due to be held later this month in Libya, which will gather the leaders of Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Chad and Nigeria.

The Africa Union has deployed some 300 soldiers to the Darfur region to protect about 150 observers, who are monitoring a ceasefire reached in April between Khartoum and Darfur rebel groups.

According to a UN report, the Darfur crisis, which began 20 months ago, has so far claimed many lives, with much more displaced.