Concern Chief travels to Darfur with UN Secretary General
Saturday, 28 May 2005
Concern Chief travels to Darfur with UN Secretary General
Tom Arnold, Chief Executive of Concern, Ireland's largest relief and development agency is accompanying the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan to Sudan this weekend.
Mr Tom Arnold said 'I am pleased to be asked by the Secretary General to join the delegation travelling to Sudan, where the situation is deteriorating both in terms of security and humanitarian needs. I hope the Secretary General will use his influence to revitalise the stalled political negotiations and encourage donors to honour their pledges to meet the $350 million shortfall agencies face'.
Concern is one of three humanitarian agencies asked to accompany the delegation the others being The International Rescue Committee and Refugees International.
Speaking before he left Ireland Mr. Arnold said, 'It is 12 months since Concern began working in Darfur, where it is estimated 180,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing conflict. Two million people have been forced from their homes and are facing a second year living in displacement camps. While violence, fear and insecurity prevail, it is plausible that these camps could turn into permanent settlements, a scenario that will stretch international capacity to the maximum. More money, more peacekeepers and an international commitment is needed in Darfur'.
Mr. Annan and his delegation will also visit southern Sudan where people face the worst food crisis in seven years. It is reported that people have resorted to boiling leaves in order to survive.
