EQUAVALENT TO NORTH EAST POPULATION DISPLACED IN DARFUR

12.00.00am GMT Fri 16th Feb 2007

Fiona Hall has called for an international peace force to stabilise the war torn region of Darfur.

Speaking in the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg this week, the Development spokesperson said:

"Two and a half million people have had to flee their homes. That is the equivalent of the entire population of North-East England. The death toll among these displaced people is high and it would be higher by far if it were not for the humanitarian efforts on the ground.

"But even humanitarian workers cannot operate on a battlefield and unless there is a lessening of hostilities in Darfur it can be expected that more of them will be evacuated.

"The entire fragile, overstretched humanitarian effort in Darfur could very easily collapse, precipitating hunger and disease in the camps and a rocketing death toll. That is why the stabilising influence of an international peace force is so urgently required.

The MEP added that an international peace keeping force was also necessary.

"In order to provide calmer conditions in which a political process could get under way.

Said Ms Hall

"This needs to involve all parties and include local low-key intercommunity dialogue as well as high-level, high-profile political negotiation."