Netherlands pledges Sudan aid
2005-04-04 12:52
The Hague, Netherlands - The Dutch government will donate €30m in aid to Sudan, where violence in the western Darfur region has left millions with insufficient water, food and medicine, the Development Cooperation Ministry said on Monday.
Minister Agnes van Ardenne announced the funding after a four-day trip to Sudan where she concluded that "woman are largely the victims of rape and intimidation," a statement said.
She expressed disappointment that a peace deal has not been reached for the region, citing three UN Security Council resolutions adopted in recent weeks in New York. "There is no remaining argument for the Sudanese government and the rebels not to negotiate," she said.
The Netherlands has promised €100m for the reconstruction of Sudan once violence has subsided.
- AP