U.N. Warns of Aid Collapse in Darfur

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

U.N. Warns of Aid Collapse in Darfur

Mar 25, 2:50 PM (ET)

By ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU

ES SALLAM, Sudan (AP) - European leaders called Sunday for new international sanctions on Sudan over its treatment of civilians in Darfur, where the new U.N. humanitarian chief warned that humanitarian efforts were at risk of collapse.

Humanitarian chief John Holmes said efforts to aid refugees could fail if the situation deteriorates and aid workers are prevented from doing their work. He spoke in a refugee camp on his first tour of Darfur since becoming the U.N.'s top humanitarian official. Some 45,000 people in the camp have taken refuge from the region's spiraling violence.

"This humanitarian effort is fragile," he said. "If the situation deteriorates, it could collapse."


Darfur refugees line up for water in the Abu Shouk refugee camp, north Darfur, Sudan on Saturday March 24, 2007. U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, John Holmes was later barred from visiting Kassab refugee camp by the Sudanese military, who claimed he had not completed the correct paperwork. Holmes, who was on his first trip to Darfur, voiced his anger and frustration after his convoy were turned back by Sudanese authorities. (AP Photo/Alfred de Montesquiou)

British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a new U.N. resolution expanding sanctions against Sudan, and said a no-fly zone over its Darfur region should be considered.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070325/D8O3C9600.html

[Lurking Dem]

1. I see the UN's involvement

as mostly too little too late.

This is a horrible, horrible situation that need more proactive involvement from a number of countries.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. I agree.

Too many "fingers in the ears" have allowed this genocide to continue.

[applegrove]

2. Yes a no fly zone would help.

[BushOut06]

4. Hehe...perhaps a naval blockade of Sudan also?

LOL, maybe we could also shut down Sudan's nuclear reactors!

[applegrove]

7. Really a no fly zone patrolled by Nato may help the people on the ground in Darfur. I kid not.

[BushOut06]

8. Sorry, I thought it was a joke

I guess when most people think of Sudan, you don't really think of them having an air force.

Honestly, it really is a shame what is going on there. It doesn't help that this admin is basically sitting by doing nothing to help.

[applegrove]

9. A no fly zone would have to be patrolled by Nato. Who could then see

the janjadaweed (sic) traveling and stop them or call them on their actions and the direction in which they are traveling. I guess that is why a no fly zone would be a good thing in my mind. To gather evidence of troop movement and war crimes. And shut down the war criminals.

[Amused Musings]

3. As of last October there were

french fighter jets stationed in Chad. I think they are still there yet they do nothing to stop the genocide. The worse part is that Khartoum is gearing up for similar destruction in the northeast of the country if I remember correctly.

[pampango]

5. Sudan's regime really knows how to "play" the West.

This genocide has been going on for years now. When the heat is raised on them, the agree to negotiate, sign another "ceasefire", and allow "peacekeepers" as long as they are undermanned, undersupplied, and not "colonial". The slaughter continues unabated until the heat is raised again and the cycle is repeated over and over and over again.

I suppose that eventually the Arab Muslims will kill or drive off all of the Black Muslims in Darfur and the genocide will become a historical reality that we can all lament and blame on "somebody else" for many years to come. I only hope that no one says "Never again" after this genocide. That would just be too hypocritical.

Just let the brutal regimes of the world know that genocides are "internal affairs" that will be met with severe hand ringing in the future.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Bush's lack of interest in Darfur says much about Bush.

Or perhaps it's his particular brand of porno? It's not like he does much to stop people from dying or suffering, his entire time in politics. Seems like quite the opposite. Also goes to the decreasing funding for US veterans.