NGOs call on the UN to take strong action on Sudan

15 November 2004

Six international humanitarian aid agencies working in Sudan today urged the UN Security Council to agree on a strong resolution setting out concrete measures to be taken against the Government of Sudan, the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement if they continue to renege on their commitments to resolve the crisis in Darfur.

The Security Council is preparing to specifically address the issue of Sudan in an historic session in Nairobi later this week. Meanwhile, according to Care International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam International, Save the Children UK and Tearfund, violence and insecurity have escalated in the troubled region of Darfur . The agencies have been working in Sudan more than 20 years.

'The signing of the Humanitarian and Security Protocols by the warring parties at the Abuja talks is a very welcome first step; however, what the people of Darfur urgently need is an immediate improvement in security on the ground. Words are meaningless without action to stop the daily killings,' said Cynthia Gaigals, a spokesperson for the agencies.

Despite two previous Security Council Resolutions on Darfur , the agencies report that civilians continue to suffer attacks and abuse, causing them to flee to over-crowded and unsanitary camps. The Sudanese government's efforts to force people to return home or relocate have resulted in increased harassment and violent coercion of displaced people. Humanitarian access is deteriorating as insecurity and the actions of the warring parties are stopping agencies reaching many people urgently in need of assistance.

'Previous UN Resolutions on Darfur have amounted to little more than empty threats, with minimal impact on the levels of violence . The Security Council must now outline specific and time-bound compliance measures and agree to implement them if there is no clear and sustained progress. Idle threats from the Security Council have not, and will not help the people of Darfur ,' said Gaigals.

The Security Council will also discuss the IGAD peace talks aimed at ending the 21-year conflict between North and South Sudan . While the Darfur crisis has deservedly captured the attention of the international community, this should not be at the expense of support to the national peace talks which offer benefits to all Sudan , including Darfur and the East.

The agencies believe there are common solutions to the conflicts in Darfur and North-South. These include the creation of social justice in Sudan, by ending discrimination in all social, economic and political life.

The IGAD peace process offers the best starting point for a sustainable peace for people in all areas of Sudan . We urge the UN to use its considerable influence to encourage a swift conclusion of the North-South peace process and promote linkages between this process and the peace talks on Darfur .

For more information contact: Cynthia Gaigals, (spokesperson for the group of agencies) on: + 254 20 271 9721

Agency Contacts

CARE International: Lynn Heinisch , Media Relations, +27 83 626 3113, heinisch@care.org or Gordy Molitor +254 722 411 104

Christian Aid : Stephanie Brigden, Senior Policy Officer or Judith Melby, International Editor, Christian Aid +44 (0)20 7523 4444

IRC : Anne Richard, Vice President Advocacy and Government Relations, +1 202 822 0166 extension 10
Patricia Swahn, Regional Director, Horn and East Africa, + 1 917 3308 054
Melissa Winkler, Director of Communications, + 1 212 551 0972

Oxfam : Gemma Swart +254 733 632 810

Save the Children UK : Laura +44 207 065 0782

Tearfund : Ian Sinkinson +254 2 2714179