UN confirms continued attacks on Darfur IDPs

NEW YORK, Oct 15, 2004 (PANA) — The UN says it continues to receive fresh
reports of attacks against internally displaced persons (IDPs) in
Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region.

Some IDPs from the village of Uma Kasara in South Darfur, one of
three states in the region told UN humanitarian officials that
unidentified gunmen burned their village last 2 October, UN
spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Friday.

They said about 650 families from their village and two
neighbouring villages had to flee because of the attack in which
three policemen were reported killed.

UN agencies were also been informed of other attacks and burnings
in villages across South Darfur.

IDPs continue to arrive at the already overcrowded camp in Kalma,
close to the state capital of Nyala, joining an estimated 60,000
residents there, a UN statement said.

More than 1.4 million people are internally displaced in Darfur,
while another 200,000 took refuge in neighbouring Chad.

Fighting began early last year when two rebel groups took up arms
against Sudanese Government forces.

In response, pro-government militias known as the Janjaweed have
repeatedly attacked civilians, killing or raping villagers and
destroying homes, wells and cropland in the region.