The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains critical. Malnutrition rates have risen sharply since the heavy rains in the autumn, particularly in the camps. Ongoing violence has led to a further 260,000 people being displaced this year alone, adding to the more than 2 million people already living in camps across the region. The camps are overstretched and becoming increasingly volatile. The increase in needs has been compounded by an escalation of attacks by armed groups against humanitarian agencies. This is having a serious impact on the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver vital aid to those in need.
The UK is the second largest bilateral donor in Sudan, having given over £275 million in humanitarian aid since 2004, over £145 million of which has gone to Darfur. The UK is playing a leading role in improving the effectiveness of the humanitarian response such as the £40 million 2007 contribution to the Common Humanitarian Fund. The UK is also a strong supporter of international efforts to build on local-level peace-building and the AU-UN-led Darfur peace talks which commenced on 27 October in Libya. We urge all parties to commit to full participation in the next phase of talks.