Sudan: Aid community warns of serious deterioration of humanitarian situation in Darfur if security worsens

Khartoum, September 18th, 2006 - The humanitarian community in Sudan fears hundreds of thousands of people could be displaced again should Darfur face an absence of an international peacekeeping force in October, according to assessments by the United Nations.

Quoting predictions compiled by aid organizations across Darfur, U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Manuel Aranda da Silva said that a realistic scenario could see as many as 350,000 people displaced, loss of basic services such as clean water and healthcare, and an increased dependence on helicopters and planes to deliver aid as road travel becomes too dangerous.

According to UN and international NGO field staff, displacements would see populations moving to already overflowing camps in urban areas or into remote mountains or rural areas, far from humanitarian aid. "The potential situation we are facing looks extremely grave. Many people will be enduring displacement for the second or third time, each time making them more vulnerable and more demoralized,' said Mr. da Silva. "This is a scenario which must not become reality."

Killing of civilians and other violations of humanitarian law are also feared, especially in areas that become inaccessible to human rights and protection officers.

Humanitarian access, already at its lowest in August since operations in Darfur began in 2004, is predicted deteriorate dramatically, with travel outside urban centres becoming impossible due to attacks on vehicles. This would necessitate an urgent increase in helicopters and airplanes to distribute aid where possible by air.

In addition, a return to conflict would also jeopardize the humanitarian gains made over the last two years, leading to serious long term consequences. Between 2004 and 2006, the efforts of aid agencies halved malnutrition, increased access to primary healthcare by over 600%, and provided nearly two million with access to clean water.

But since April, lack of access to suffering populations has meant loss of these essential services to thousands. In North Darfur alone, 355,000 people have gone without food aid for two months, and a recent UN survey in the area suggests that malnutrition is rising. Medical agencies believe that many are vulnerable to diseases because they cannot reach medical care. Cholera is an ongoing problem and the malaria season is just beginning.

The growing conflict is already inflicting additional suffering on the civilian population: Medical agencies report increasing numbers of patients with weapon-related injuries - 42% of surgical interventions are now conflict related. Fighting since May has displaced as many as 100,000 IDPs, many for the second or third time.

"We know that with access to affected populations and the generous support of our donors we can produce concrete results and save lives," added Mr da Silva. "But if we are unable to provide assistance, we will be looking at a slow deterioration of humanitarian gains combined with dire short term impact. Malnutrition and deaths from preventable diseases will increase and the long term picture will look increasingly bleak."

For more information contact:

Ms. Imogen Wall, +249-912-306-509, wall@un.org
Ms. Dawn Elizabeth Blalock, +249-912-174-454, blalock@un.org