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WORSENING
CONDITIONS IN DARFUR PROMPT ALARM FROM UNICEF CHIEF
(MaximsNews)
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UNITED
NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 09
April 2008 -(ORIGINALLY
PUBLISHED 15 September 2006 )-
The head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
today joined her voice to the growing chorus of UN officials expressing alarm
about the deteriorating situation in the strife-torn Darfur region of western
Sudan.
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman
in a press statement
condemned the “senseless loss of life” in Darfur and called on all sides in
the conflict to protect families and children.
“It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have lost their lives in the
continuing conflict. About 1.9 million people have been displaced and nearly 3
million people depend on international aid for food, shelter and basic
health,” she noted.
Ms. Veneman said the increasing violence made it harder for humanitarian
workers to reach those in need, causing a sharp rise in acute malnutrition rates
as a result.
“Sexual violence against women and children is widespread and people yearn
for a place where they can feel safe,” she added.
Ms. Veneman’s call comes amid mounting concern about the fate of Darfur’s
civilians after the end of the month, when African Union (AU) soldiers are
slated to leave the region.
Last month the Security Council voted to deploy more than 17,000 UN
peacekeepers to take over from the AU, but the Sudanese Government has been
adamant that it is opposed to blue helmets in Darfur.
This week Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that Darfur is headed for a
disaster unless Khartoum changes its mind, and Deputy Secretary-General Mark
Malloch Brown and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland
have voiced similar concerns in recent weeks.
Yesterday, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel and actor George Clooney briefed
the Security Council, urging them to take “real and effective measures” to
ensure to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
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