UNITED NATIONS, April 23 (UPI) -- Joining the growing number of voices calling for increased efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan, the U.N. humanitarian chief says the situation is urgent.
John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, addressed the U.N. Security Council Tuesday on the five-year anniversary of when fighting broke out in Darfur between the Sudanese government and rebel groups. Holmes warned of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country, adding his voice to the growing numbers of world leaders demanding increased efforts, the United Nations reported.
Holmes said the suffering of millions of people in the region has grown significantly worse over the past 12 months.
"We continue to see the goalposts receding, to the point where peace in Darfur seems further away today than ever," Holmes said in a statement. "Further progress in the deployment of the hybrid U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force, equipped to protect civilians and improve security, will help.
"But only an end to all violence and concrete steps towards a political settlement will make the fundamental difference needed, as the rebel movements themselves above all need to recognize."
