UN considers sanctions against Sudanese government for obstructing aid
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《英国医生杂志》
Dr Lee Jong-wook, director general of the World Health Organization, has described the situation in Darfur, western Sudan, as a potential "health catastrophe," after a visit to the war-ravaged region, warning that hundreds of thousands could die of famine and disease unless urgent action is taken.
The UN Security Council is debating sanctions against Khartoum for obstruction of aid efforts and the US Congress introduced a resolution declaring the crisis a "genocide." These moves follow high profile missions by the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, who said the crisis "bordered on ethnic cleansing" and by the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, who complained Sudan抯 government was "in denial."
Dr Lee warned that health conditions would worsen with the onset of the rainy season. WHO assessments show that conditions in refugee camps are "grim, all indicating severe lack of food, water, health care and shelter" and that as the camps grow "so does the pressure on the health system, which is poor even at the primary level. Secondary and tertiary health care is practically non-existent outside of the state capitals."
Although an emergency measles and polio vaccination campaign had reached two million children, over half a million were excluded. "We went as far as we could, given the insecurity," said Unicef抯 executive director, Carol Bellamy.
A major concern is the lack of sanitation and safe water. WHO has warned: "The situation is becoming even more critical as the rainy season sets in. Some camps will become unreachable, and there will be an increased possibility of malaria and cholera outbreaks. A major increase in human resources, medical supplies, food, shelter, and funds is essential to meet even the most basic needs."
The UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, Jan Egeland, said that "hundreds of thousands" could die, adding: "We are late in Darfur because the senseless violence against civilians lasted for too long, access was blocked for too long, insecurity remains too high, and resources have been provided too late."
Mr Egeland conceded that Sudan抯 government had improved access to Darfur, as promised to Kofi Annan. He feared, however, that rising insecurity could force agencies to withdraw. "Our trucks are looted, our humanitarian workers are threatened and attacked, and that抯 not necessarily only the fault of the government. There are many militias and other forces," he said.
The European Union抯 commissioner for development, Poul Nielson, said: "The international community is running out of patience," complaining that in the face of the current "desperate" humanitarian crisis in Darfur, "aid workers continue to meet with unnecessary bureaucratic constraints and warring parties are continuing to target aid supplies."
Andrew Natsios of the US Agency for International Development told Congress the death toll could reach one million. Pressing for robust UN action, senators introduced a bi-partisan motion, stating "the atrocities unfolding in Darfur, Sudan are genocide." A UN resolution declaring that the action against people in Darfur was genocide would oblige intervention.
The United Kingdom抯 best known international aid charities launched a joint appeal for public help this week. The Disasters Emergency Committee is raising money on behalf of British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, and World Vision. Details are accessible at www.dec.org.uk(London Peter Moszynski)
The UN Security Council is debating sanctions against Khartoum for obstruction of aid efforts and the US Congress introduced a resolution declaring the crisis a "genocide." These moves follow high profile missions by the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, who said the crisis "bordered on ethnic cleansing" and by the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, who complained Sudan抯 government was "in denial."
Dr Lee warned that health conditions would worsen with the onset of the rainy season. WHO assessments show that conditions in refugee camps are "grim, all indicating severe lack of food, water, health care and shelter" and that as the camps grow "so does the pressure on the health system, which is poor even at the primary level. Secondary and tertiary health care is practically non-existent outside of the state capitals."
Although an emergency measles and polio vaccination campaign had reached two million children, over half a million were excluded. "We went as far as we could, given the insecurity," said Unicef抯 executive director, Carol Bellamy.
A major concern is the lack of sanitation and safe water. WHO has warned: "The situation is becoming even more critical as the rainy season sets in. Some camps will become unreachable, and there will be an increased possibility of malaria and cholera outbreaks. A major increase in human resources, medical supplies, food, shelter, and funds is essential to meet even the most basic needs."
The UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, Jan Egeland, said that "hundreds of thousands" could die, adding: "We are late in Darfur because the senseless violence against civilians lasted for too long, access was blocked for too long, insecurity remains too high, and resources have been provided too late."
Mr Egeland conceded that Sudan抯 government had improved access to Darfur, as promised to Kofi Annan. He feared, however, that rising insecurity could force agencies to withdraw. "Our trucks are looted, our humanitarian workers are threatened and attacked, and that抯 not necessarily only the fault of the government. There are many militias and other forces," he said.
The European Union抯 commissioner for development, Poul Nielson, said: "The international community is running out of patience," complaining that in the face of the current "desperate" humanitarian crisis in Darfur, "aid workers continue to meet with unnecessary bureaucratic constraints and warring parties are continuing to target aid supplies."
Andrew Natsios of the US Agency for International Development told Congress the death toll could reach one million. Pressing for robust UN action, senators introduced a bi-partisan motion, stating "the atrocities unfolding in Darfur, Sudan are genocide." A UN resolution declaring that the action against people in Darfur was genocide would oblige intervention.
The United Kingdom抯 best known international aid charities launched a joint appeal for public help this week. The Disasters Emergency Committee is raising money on behalf of British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, and World Vision. Details are accessible at www.dec.org.uk(London Peter Moszynski)