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| WORLD NEWS - WORLD NEWS - Darfur crisis |
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 18 Feb Oxfam urges urgent action in Chad
Oxfam, the UK-based charity, today called on EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels not to repeat the mistakes of Darfur in Chad, and to vigorously pursue all diplomatic channels to help secure a lasting ceasefire and a durable peace.
Urging Europe to go beyond responding to the urgent protection needs of civilians in Darfur, Oxfam's Regional Director Nick Roseveare said: "We have all the elements for a huge humanitarian crisis rapidly developing in Chad, with the lives of half a million people hanging in the balance.
“Europe must act rapidly before things get worse. Politicians around the world have wrung their hands as the population in Darfur continues to suffer. They have promised, but not delivered. They should not make the same mistake on Chad.”
Furthermore, Roseveare called on EU leaders needs to call for a ceasefire in Chad to protect beleaguered civilians while increasing diplomatic efforts to secure peace.
As a result of the fighting, most aid agencies are operating with minimum essential staff and supply routes have been closed with fuel running low. Oxfam has just two weeks of fuel left to run its water pumps. With supply lines down, aid agencies will not be able to help the new influx of refugees, and are already struggling to assist the long-term displaced.
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