LONDON, May 4 (UPI) -- The head of the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday the conditions of residents displaced from the Darfur region in Sudan is "tragic."
"This is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with so many people in the most belligerent way being chased from their homes," said James Morris, executive director of the WFP. "Everything has been taken away from these people. This is tragic."
Morris said more than 100,000 Sudanese refugees have fled across the border to Chad.
Morris spoke in London after leading a high-level humanitarian mission to Sudan and then traveling to visit refugee camps in eastern Chad.
He said repeated attacks by militia including the burning of villages, widespread looting and systematic destruction of livelihoods, have left displaced people destitute. Local social services, such as health care and education, have collapsed. Although a ceasefire between warring factions was signed April 8, the U.N. mission found refugees were reluctant to return home until they were reassured that security has been restored.
The agency has called upon the government of Sudan to accelerate its efforts to control armed militias, provide security and protection for displaced people, and to facilitate access for humanitarian agencies.
The U.N. mission visited the Darfur region April 28-30 to gather first-hand information and then went to neighboring Chad to talk to refugees.
