300,000 lives: The cost of five years in Darfur

300,000 people killed in Darfur since April 2003

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Wednesday, 23, Apr 2008 04:00

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur since fighting broke out five years ago, the United Nations humanitarian chief has said.

The death-toll, which includes people killed through combat, disease, malnutrition and reduced life expectancy, is 50 per cent higher than previous estimates.

John Holmes, the under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, told the security council he was 'saddened and angry' by the worsening situation in the western Sudanese region.

In late April 2003, violence broke out after ethnic African tribesmen claimed the government was discriminating against them in favour of Arabs.

Click here to read more on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Khartoum responded with a massive military and police operation, leading to the government-backed Janjaweed militia being accused of killing thousands of civilians.

More than 2.7 million people have been displaced over the last five years, Mr Holmes added.

Earlier this year the hybrid United Nations and African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur (Unamid) was finally deployed.

Click here to read more on the peacekeeping force in Darfur

But only less than half of a uniformed presence of 26,000 is yet to be installed, with the UN urging donor countries to contribute more towards troops and equipment.

"We continue to see the goalposts receding, to the point where peace in Darfur seems further away today than ever," Mr Holmes said.

"Further progress in the deployment of Unamid, 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 recognise. Otherwise the reality is that the people of Darfur face a continued steady deterioration of their conditions of life and their chances of lasting recovery."