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UN: Bandits threaten food aid
23/01/2008 13:36 - (SA)
Khartoum - The United Nations World Food Programme warned on Wednesday that banditry in the conflict-stricken Darfur region threatened the distribution of food to more than two million people there.
"So far this year, bandits have stolen 23 WFP-contracted trucks and abducted their drivers - 19 drivers are still missing," it said in a statement.
"We're extremely worried about the impact of vulnerable people of Darfur," WFP representative Kenro Oshidari said.
He said that the main trucking companies now refuse to send in more vehicles, forcing the organisation to "deliver about half our monthly food relief requirement".
"If the situation continues, we'll be forced to cut rations in parts of Darfur by mid-February," Oshidari said, urging Sudanese authorities to ensure the safety of the main routes.
106 000 people 'can not be reached
A lack of security in the western Sudanese region continued to hamper aid operations. Between September and December last year, three WFP contracted drivers were killed and 13 trucks stolen or attacked.
A total of 106 000 people could not be reached with food assistance in December, the WFP said, adding that some 40 000 metric tons of food were needed to feed the most vulnerable people in Darfur.
"Without these deliveries, WFP faces a rapid depletion of stocks and the inability to pre-position food ahead of the rainy season which is due to start in May," Oshidari said.
At least 200 000 people had died from war, famine and disease in Darfur and more than two million had fled their homes since rebels took up arms against Khartoum in 2003, complaining of the region's political and economic marginalisation, according to the UN.
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