Once again people around the world are working together to highlight the appalling situation in Darfur. More than 2 million people have been forced from their homes and 4 million are dependent on aid. The UK is working to ensure that the international community will not abandon Darfur.
The Foreign Secretary, who chaired a meeting in the UN Security Council on 16 April to reinforce the international community's attention on Darfur, said:
'The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to resolve this crisis. We are committed to finding a solution. But, the Government of Sudan has consistently flouted UN Security Council Resolutions and commitments it has made. Pressure from the UK and the international community has, in recent weeks, pushed the Government of Sudan to agree to some partial steps towards accepting deployment of an AU-UN peacekeeping force and agreeing to remove blocks to humanitarian work. But the Government of Sudan has a history of going back on its promises: recent indiscriminate attacks against civilians illustrate this. We are working in the UN Security Council to agree further sanctions which we will impose if the Government of Sudan and rebel movements do not co-operate fully'.
International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn said:
'Every day that the crisis in Darfur continues, people suffer. The UK has provided over £140 million to humanitarian efforts in Darfur but the situation is precarious. Relief agencies are doing a magnificent job, but are hindered by unnecessary bureaucracy and are under threat from violent attacks and banditry. This simply can't go on. The Government of Sudan has to live up to its promises and end this tragedy.'