Brussels, 11/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - Deeply concerned at the dramatic impact on the civilian people of the escalation in violence in Darfur (West Sudan), the European Union called on the Sudanese authorities on Friday 11 April to respect humanitarian law and ensure access to the victims.
“We call on the Sudanese authorities to respect international agencies' mandates and their staff, and to provide aid workers in a timely manner with the necessary travel permits”, state High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, and European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs in a joint press release.
“With increased conflict in North and South Darfur involving the Sudanese armed forces, militias, rebels as well as inter-tribal clashes, an estimated 215,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of 2014. These clashes came with severe violations of the rights of the civilian population, which add to the distress of more than 3.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur and more than 2 million displaced people. These tragic developments stand in sharp contrast to the expressed desire by the government for a national dialogue that is comprehensive and inclusive of all parties”, state Ashton, Georgieva and Piebalgs. The EU therefore reiterates its call to the Sudanese government and to all the groups involved in this violence to “re-double their efforts to reach a settlement through dialogue”.
In 2014 alone, the EU has already committed over €37 million in emergency humanitarian aid. The EU gives support to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and implements development projects in the areas of health, education, food security and natural resources - “wherever the situation allows” - with the €27.5 million pledged at the Doha conference on Darfur. (AN)