Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
United Nations agencies continue to respond to escalating humanitarian needs across Sudan, while the number of people displaced inside the country due to violence has risen to about 1.7 million. According to the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning.

In the past few days, the International Organization for Migration and its partners have distributed supplies to 3,000 people who fled to El-Obeid in North Kordofan state, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The World Food Program also provided nutritional support to about 170 children who were evacuated from the Maigoma shelter in Khartoum last week.

WFP has reached 870,000 people with emergency food supplies since resuming work in Sudan 6 weeks ago.
For the ethnic dimension of the conflict in Darfur
It is noteworthy that the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed grave concern, in a press statement on Tuesday evening, about the situation in Darfur.

He deplored reports of widespread violence and casualties across the region due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The Secretary-General expressed grave concern about the growing ethnic dimension to the conflict and reports of sexual violence.

He renewed his call for both sides to stop fighting and commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. He reminded all parties of their obligations to protect civilians.

In a statement attributed to his spokesperson, the Secretary-General affirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the Sudanese people.

The statement indicated that nearly 9 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection in Darfur. The Secretary-General stressed the need to end looting and expand humanitarian access so that relief can reach those in need.

He paid tribute to humanitarian workers, especially local UN partners, who are risking their lives to deliver aid.