[allAfrica.com]  [Christian_Science_Monitor]


Donors Fail to Deliver for People of Darfur, Sudan

Oxfam International (Boston)
PRESS RELEASE
June 22, 2004
Posted to the web June 23, 2004

International agency Oxfam today attacked donor governments for failing to
deliver enough funding to help an estimated two million people affected by the
crisis in Darfur, western Sudan.
According to latest United Nations figures*, the governments of France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and rich Arab countries have been some of the
least generous.
With seasonal rains beginning, Oxfam says water, sanitation, food and shelter
are urgently needed for up to one million people inside Darfur who have been
forced from their villages by violent armed attacks and another 150,000 -
200,000 who have crossed the border into Chad.
"As the world wakes up to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Darfur and
Chad, the vast scale of need has become apparent", said Oxfam Regional Director
Caroline Nursey.
"Humanitarian aid, while not the only solution to this crisis, is the key to
preventing tens of thousands of deaths in the coming months. Donors must
deliver immediately if lives are to be saved."
The United Nations has appealed for almost US$350 million to cover urgent needs
this year for all its agencies working on the crisis. Yet, according to latest
UN figures, this appeal has so far received just one third of the money needed,
with contributions totaling only around US$114 million.
In terms of bilateral contributions to the 2004 appeal, France has given just
$3.45 million, Spain $600,000, Germany $7.14 million, Japan $3.29m, Italy
$2.4million, Saudi Arabia $204,000, and United Arab Emirates $82,000.
By comparison, the US has given $89.5 million and the UK has given $52.1
million.
"The international community's immediate response to Iraq last year shows that
donors can find money quickly when there is a real will to deliver," said
Oxfam's Caroline Nursey.
"The lack of funding for Darfur and Chad follows a trend in which donors are
ignoring millions in other forgotten emergencies including the Democratic
Republic of Congo and Burundi. Six months into the UN's global appeal for 2004,
there is a two billion dollar shortfall."
* Latest figures from Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator
for the Sudan, 19 June 2004.

   

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