Insecurity brings Humanitarian blues in Darfur

The Coalition for Darfur found this as well (and scooped me to the post! :) VOA News reports: "UN Says Shaky Security in Darfur Hinders Humanitarian Aid"

The news isn't that insecurity interferes with Humanitarian efforts. No, the news is that insecurity still plagues the region. Consider:

The United Nations reports banditry, looting and fighting in Sudan's western Darfur region have disrupted the distribution of humanitarian aid. At a news conference in Khartoum Wednesday, a U.N. official said there have been 10 serious attacks on humanitarian aid convoys reported in the past 30 days.

The spokesperson for the United Nations Mission in Sudan, Radhia Achouri, says attacks on relief workers in western and northern Darfur have delayed humanitarian aid.

"The security situation in Darfur remains volatile with many reports on continuing banditry, alleged attacks on villages and looting and reports on fighting in and around the Jabal Moon area," she said "The situation in west Darfur is of particular concern following a series of attacks on international NGO (non-governmental organizations) convoys. Efforts are expected from government authorities to improve the operating environment for humanitarian work in the area."

Last Thursday an aid convoy with a party of seven vehicles and 21 workers was attacked while traveling to the western city Darfur city of Geneina. Seventeen of the aid workers were beaten and suffered injuries. In a second attack a convoy of three humanitarian vehicles was attacked near Geneina and the workers were robbed.

The bandits that robbed relief workers rank as the lowest of the low. They become the cross Fools must bare. For we must follow the counsel of our master, who through the Apostle reminds us:

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Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
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Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
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Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.(Romans 12:19-21)

Let them answer to their Judge if they refuse to repent. Ensuring justice, however, is the task for all of us. Especially those responsible for the common good. In Sudan, that means Khartoum.

The powers of the West must demand that the Sudanese government secure Darfur. The banditry must end. If they will not or cannot do it, then the UN Security Council must authorize a peace-keeping presence that will secure UN relief efforts. Those who work to better the lives of Darfuri refugees must not be the targets of lawlessness, government sponsored or otherwise. Citizens of the West, insist that your governments hold Sudan to account. This must not stand!