Libya gives $4m to feed Darfur
2006-04-19 19:45
Khartoum - Libya has given $4.5m to a United Nations agency to help feed the people of Darfur, western Sudan.
Famine and disease have claimed tens of thousands of lives since the Darfur conflict erupted in 2003.
Several million Sudanese have fled into neighbouring Chad or been displaced inside Sudan.
Libya's donation, made on Tuesday, is its first to the world food programme (WFP).
The donation covers the increased cost of jet fuel needed to airlift WFP food in the May to November rainy season.
Libya has facilitated WFP efforts to bring aid to the Sudanese since 2004.
The WFP is allowed to transport supplies from the Libyan Mediterranean port of Benghazi, overland through the Sahara Desert.
Bradley Guerrant, WFP deputy regional director for Sudan, said: "The assistance comes at a time when there is donor fatigue in many parts of the world and our operations face severe funding shortages."
He said the WFP required $746m for its emergency operation in Sudan in 2006.
Oil-rich Libya recently hosted peace talks on Darfur.
- AP