Tearfund’s relief work in Darfur is continuing despite what the UN describes as an `unprecedented level’ of attacks on aid workers in the Sudanese region.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Darfur has condemned the violence and called for an end to all attacks.
Tearfund works in the south and west of Darfur and near the border with Chad.
The latter is an area of tension between the governments of Chad and Sudan as both are fighting respective rebel groups.
Recently the presidents of Chad and Sudan signed a reconciliation agreement amid rising fears about the violence and instability along their common border.
But optimism that it would deliver peace disappeared just hours after the deal was signed amid reports of violations.
Another reason why few are putting hope in the deal is that Chadian and Sudanese rebels haven’t bought into it
Banditry
The effect of insecurity on humanitarian efforts is considerable. Banditry is hampering the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) which this year has seen 45 trucks hijacked, 37 missing and 23 drivers unaccounted for.
Many are still hopeful that a new international force, UNAMID, will bring security to the Sudanese region.
It is early days as the force was only deployed in January and is not yet operating at full strength due to limited troop numbers and other support which is lacking.
Instead of having 26,000 personnel, the force currently consists of 9,000.
However where it is working in western Darfur, there are signs it is making its presence felt.
Phil James, Tearfund’s Disaster Management Officer for Darfur, said, `UNAMID have started to patrol along roads that have not been used for two years with the purpose of trying to open them up, which is encouraging for our partner FAR.
`If UNAMID can continue to do that it might increase access to project sites and reduce reliance on helicopters.’