Access for aid getting worse in Sudan despite accord - UN

Snippets from UN News Centre report June 19, 2006:

"In the last three months we have had deterioration in getting access in Darfur. There are at least 250,000 people we cannot reach, they are mainly in western Darfur, but they are also in North Darfur, reasons for the lack of access are mainly due to infighting," said Mr da Silva [Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator].

Apart from the increased political infighting among rebel groups, and banditry of the past three weeks in the Darfur region, Mr da Silva said there had however been a "clear reduction of clashes" between the Government and the Sudan Liberation Army forces, but he added that there was "tension in the IDP (internally displaced people) camps," related to the fact that people there do not recognize last month's peace agreement.

"It is the Government's responsibility to take care of its own people, but we cannot be held responsible for what happens to people we cannot reach," Mr da Silva concluded.