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Darfur violence 'preventing aid' Aid workers quit Darfur violence
(40 minutes later)
Nearly half a million people in the Darfur region of Sudan have less access to aid as a result of a recent upsurge in violence, according to aid agencies. Sharply deteriorating security in the Darfur region of Sudan has led to the withdrawal of 250 relief workers.
A statement by six agencies operating in Darfur says 250 humanitarian workers have been withdrawn, following a sharp rise in attacks in the past 10 days. Aid workers face "unprecedented difficulties" because of military activity and direct violence against them, a statement by six agencies says.
They renewed an appeal for all sides to observe a ceasefire allowing a full resumption of aid activities. They said the withdrawal of staff affects the provision of aid to nearly 500,000 displaced people in Darfur.
Some 200,000 people are estimated to have died in Darfur since 2003. It is estimated about 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003. Many more have been driven from their homes.
More than two million have been driven from their homes.
Friday's statement was signed by Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee, Goal, Concern, World Vision and the Norwegian Refugee Council.Friday's statement was signed by Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee, Goal, Concern, World Vision and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
They say military activity, banditry and violence against humanitarian workers have increased across Darfur since early December.They say military activity, banditry and violence against humanitarian workers have increased across Darfur since early December.
Clooney lobbies on Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurClooney lobbies on Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
The latest upsurge has led to the temporary withdrawal of staff serving a total of 488,000 people, according to the agencies. The latest upsurge has led to the temporary withdrawal in the last 10 days of staff serving a total of 488,000 people, according to the agencies.
"If the deterioration is allowed to continue, the impact on civilians could be devastating," says Paul Smith-Lomas, Regional Director for Oxfam."If the deterioration is allowed to continue, the impact on civilians could be devastating," says Paul Smith-Lomas, Regional Director for Oxfam.
"With new displacements and attacks, the presence of aid agencies is more important than ever. Yet every day brings one huge blow after another to aid efforts," he adds."With new displacements and attacks, the presence of aid agencies is more important than ever. Yet every day brings one huge blow after another to aid efforts," he adds.
The aid agencies say their workers are being attacked in some cases, vehicles stolen and stocks of aid pillaged.
The violence now reaches inside refugee camps which the aid agencies' statement says are now "increasingly rife with weapons and armed groups".
The agencies renewed an appeal for all sides to observe a ceasefire to allow a full resumption of aid activities.
PeacekeepersPeacekeepers
Blame cannot be attributed to just one group, says the statement, which calls for an immediate ceasefire.Blame cannot be attributed to just one group, says the statement, which calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says the call is likely to fall on deaf ears as the Sudanese government and its partners in the Janjaweed militia appear to be stepping up their activities.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says the call is likely to fall on deaf ears as the Sudanese government and its partners in the Janjaweed militia appear to be stepping up their activities.
From being elusive figures patrolling Darfur's barren landscape, the militia are now present in the centre of many key towns, our correspondent says.From being elusive figures patrolling Darfur's barren landscape, the militia are now present in the centre of many key towns, our correspondent says.
The violence has intensified despite the presence of some 7,000 African Union peacekeepers.The violence has intensified despite the presence of some 7,000 African Union peacekeepers.
Sudan rejects plans for the United Nations to take control and increase the number of peacekeepers to 20,000.Sudan rejects plans for the United Nations to take control and increase the number of peacekeepers to 20,000.
The conflict began in early 2003, when a rebellion by local groups triggered a counter-offensive by the army and government-backed Arab militias.The conflict began in early 2003, when a rebellion by local groups triggered a counter-offensive by the army and government-backed Arab militias.