Sudanese Government, U.N. call on donors to help Darfur

Sunday May 2nd, 2004.

KHARTOUM, May 2, 2004 (dpa) -- The Sudanese government and the United Nations launched a joint appeal on donor nations and organizations to secure contribute 140 million U.S. dollars for procure food and medicine for the people in need in the war-hit Darfur region.

Sudan's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ibrahim Mahmoud, told reporters Sunday that the two sides were also urging donors to speed up their contributions before the rain season sets on.

The two sides would set up a joint committee to meet weekly to pursue humanitarian aid.

A U.N. assessment team warned Saturday that the situation in Darfur would worsen unless security is improved.

More than one million people in the region have fled their homes since the crisis started in February 2003. Many fled to neighbouring Chad, the U.N. said.

Mahmoud noted that contacts were underway with several international committees in Geneva to facilitate the repatriation of refugees.

He also said his ministry met with the U.N. delegation after their assessment tour to Darfur.

Mahmoud blamed Arab militiamen of Genjaweed for conducting a genocide campaign against the black African population of Darfur.

Darfur's two rebel movements recently reached agreements with Khartoum on a 45 days truce. However, a future political compromise on the region is still undetermined.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Arab League also visited the country and met with Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail to review the humanitarian situation in the volatile province.