Sudan says it has sent new batch of relief aid to war-torn Darfur region

Sunday April 4th, 2004.

KHARTOUM, April 4 (AFP) -- The Sudanese government said it has sent a new batch of food and other relief aid to its war-torn western Darfur region

The Sudan Media Center quoted Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ibahim Mahmoud Hamid as saying that 50,000 tonnes of food and other relief would arrive in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, by rail in two days.

He said two trains left Friday loaded with 14,000 tonnes, while a third would leave Sunday, in addition to a fleet of trucks also carrying humanitarian aid to the South, North and West Darfur states.

The minister said his ministry was continuing efforts to meet the needs of the people in Darfur "under the auspices of the president and other officials at all levels."

Hamid described reports of a deteriorating food situation in Darfur as an allegation that had been refuted by his ministry's cooperation with various humanitarian groups and by "the easy media access to Darfur."

The Sudanese government last month protested strongly against Sudan's UN humanitarian coordinator Mukesh Kapila for calling the conflict in Darfur "the world's greatest humanitarian" catastrophe.

International relief agencies have in the past also complained about poor access to the region.

The Darfur unrest erupted in February 2003 between the government and rebel forces, who complain their region has been marginalised.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes, many seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad.