Crisis in Darfur Worsens

The crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan has worstened over the last year, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told the Security Council yesterday.  Holmes’ report paints a grim picture of the Darfur crisis, and casts African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as ineffective.  Holmes was doubtful that the peacekeeping force would be fully deployed before next year, making it very difficult to pursue it’s mandate.  In his statement, Holmes said that in Darfur peace is not an “attractive” solution, both politically and economically. 

Holmes’ comments to the Security Council were preceded by the death of a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) truck driver who was shot en route to South Darfur from the North.  This was the second shooting to kill a relief agent in two months.  The driver, Mohammed Makki, was killed by raiders after he was separated from the police convoy he had been traveling with.  His truck, as with most WFP vehicles in the region, was carrying only half capacity.  WFP trucks are regularly only half-full due to the constant threat of raids. 

The World Food Programme has since announced that it would cut rations in the Darfur region due to continued violence.  The WFP also called for all local, regional, and governmental players to work towards ensuring the safety of UN staff in the region.