Darfur crisis is 'as bad as ever'

BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Darfur crisis is 'as bad as ever': "The humanitarian situation in Sudan's Darfur region is as bad now as when the conflict came to the world's attention in 2004, the top UN aid official says.

Jan Egeland told the BBC that aid workers in Darfur were "in retreat" from attacks by armed groups, a funding shortfall and government obstacles. He said that 500,000 people of the 3m who needed help were "out of reach". The US says a genocide is being committed against Darfur's black African population.

Earlier this week, the UN said Sudan had not granted visas to its military assessment team, who were due to travel to Darfur ahead of a possible UN takeover of the peacekeeping mission. Sudan wants the visit to be postponed until after peace talks with the rebels are finalised in Nigeria. Russia and China have said they will oppose the UK and US suggestion of imposing a travel ban and assets freeze on the four, reportedly including both rebels and officials. "