Quake relief begins – but Darfur aid hampered by conflict
Britain is expected to push the international community to develop a global natural disaster warning system, in the wake of yesterday’s 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra. Early estimates by Indonesian authorities put the death toll from yesterday’s quake at between one and two thousand. Meanwhile, another humanitarian disaster of epic proportions continues to unfold on the border of Sudan and Chad. The UN Security Council has voted to restrict travel and consfiscate the assets of anyone who violates the ceasefire in Darfur. The resolution forbids the Khartoum government from making offensive flights into the area, where security is rapidly deteriorating, forcing some aid agencies to leave. World Vision’s Paul Ronalds says 1.6 million people are living in refugee camps in Darfur, and more are across the border in Chad.
One Big Village (World Vision) website