FAO steps up relief effort in Sudan’s Darfur

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 6, 2004 (PANA) — UN Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO) is providing vegetable seeds and gardening tools to 35,000
of the poorest and most vulnerable households in conflict-
affected areas of Sudan’s Darfur region for the upcoming winter
cropping season.

FAO will also help improve the health of donkeys belonging to
about 5,000 households currently living in internally displaced
persons (IDP) camps, the UN agency said in a statement Monday
from its headquarters in Rome.

It said FAO has earmarked $390,000 to provide nine tonnes of
vegetable seeds, gardening tools, veterinary supplies and
technical assistance by agricultural extension experts in the
conflict-stricken region.

The cereal season has already been completed in Darfur and can no
longer benefit from agricultural aid.

FAO is therefore focusing on vegetable production and
preservation of livestock.

“We target poor farmers who cannot afford to buy seeds or have
lost their seed stores due to the conflict,” said Sara McHattie,
FAO Area Emergency Coordinator in
North Darfur.

The seeds should enable each household to produce an estimated
$300 worth of vegetables, statement indicated.