Darfur: Quick action needed

2004-06-30 12:39

Ndjamena - Chadian President Idriss Deby on Wednesday urged the international community to act quickly in Darfur to avoid a "humanitarian tragedy" in the western part of Sudan.

"I ask the international community to act very quickly. If not, what is happening on our borders could become a humanitarian tragedy," Deby told international reporters here.

"The international community has the tragedy in Rwanda on its conscience. It has to act rapidly, not only to take in the refugees but also to create conditions for stability in Darfur, to return refugees to their original living places with all the required security to allow them to live in peace," he said.

At least 10 000 people have been killed in Darfur since fighting broke out in the western region of Sudan in February last year, when black African rebel groups rose up against the government in Khartoum.

The government's response was to give an Arab militia, the Janjawid, a free rein in cracking down on the rebels.

Another one million people have been displaced, and at least 120 000 refugees have poured into neighbouring Chad from Darfur.

The UN says refugees are living in dire conditions, many afraid to return home for fear that they will be killed by the pro-government Arab militias.

Unicef has said between 700 000 and 800 000 people will suffer malnutrition and sickness, including 500 000 children.

- AFP