The United Nations said it will be forced to suspend food aid that feeds 3 million people a month in Sudan's western Darfur region if attacks on humanitarian convoys continue.
More than 100 World Food Programme vehicles carrying supplies have been hijacked since the beginning of the year in Darfur and drivers are refusing to travel on some routes in the conflict-torn region, according to the UN's Web site. Almost 70 WFP trucks and 43 drivers remain missing, the UN said.
“Repeated and targeted attacks on food convoys are making it extraordinarily difficult and dangerous for us to feed hungry people,'' said Monika Midel, the agency's deputy representative in Sudan. “Should these attacks continue, the situation will become intolerable, to the point that we will have to suspend operations in some areas of Darfur.''
As many as 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced in Darfur since fighting between rebels and government forces began five years ago. The WFP began scaling back its rations in May when trucks could no longer deliver enough food to camps due to deteriorating security, according to the UN.
Last month, the non-governmental organization German Agro Action canceled food distribution to 450,000 people in North Darfur because of insecurity, according to the WFP.
The disruption is threatening the rural population which typically needs aid in September when food from last year's harvest runs out, the UN said.
The conflict in Darfur began in February 2003 when insurgents demanding a greater share of Sudan's political power and wealth attacked government forces.
President Umar al-Bashir's government responded by sending troops and arming mainly Arab militias known as the Janjaweed to attack people in areas accused of supporting the rebels. The U.S. has described the government's response as genocide.
The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said in July he is seeking the arrest of Bashir, alleging he bears “criminal responsibility'' for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. Sudan isn't a signatory to the ICC and doesn't recognize its legitimacy.
Bloomberg.com
By Ed Johnson
08 September 2008
