| Series Title | European Voice |
|---|---|
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.15, 29.4.04 |
| Publication Date | 29/04/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Date: 29/04/04 POUL Nielson, the European development and humanitarian affairs commissioner, this week announced a €10 million aid package for victims of the fighting in Sudan's Darfur province, where 100,000 face death. Does the €10 million aid package represent an adequate response to the worst conflict-driven crisis in the world today? Nielson: €Ten million is not the totality of our response. We have already given more than €9 million in assistance so far. But our work is defined by the unfortunate problems of access for humanitarian aid workers. We have the terrible obligation to accept that, sometimes, the need is so big it is only possible to do 50 or 60 or 70% of what we would like to do. For too long United Nations officials and our own staff have faced serious problems in getting access [to those requiring assistance]. The security situation is extremely precarious with respect to civilians and aid workers alike. The need for help is urgent. Two million people - one-third of the population of the region - are directly affected. There has also been a widespread abuse of human rights, including torture, abduction and rape. We are now at a stage in our deliberations with the African Union which could well lead to it supporting a peacekeeping operation in Sudan. And there is some speculation that the EU might engage in [a peacekeeping operation in] Sudan. My strong advice here is not to just let things happen without professional and well-organized coordination. If it takes one man to fix a flat bicycle tyre in ten minutes, it might not be the case that ten men can do it in one minute. The question is answered by Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. |
|
| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
| Related Links |
|
| Countries / Regions | Africa |
