Aid for Darfur refugees flies out

Several aid drops have made it to the region from the UK

A plane carrying aid supplies for refugees from Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region will take off from the UK on Tuesday.

The British Red Cross flight is bound for Chad, where refugees have fled across the border with Sudan.

The flight, from Manston Airport, Kent, will take 4,160 jerry cans, 2,000 tarpaulins and a vehicle.

Is the latest in a series of aid flights leaving from the UK, part of a 12-strong charity fundraising effort.

The charity is building a new refugee camp in Trejine, Chad, 85-km from the Sudan border to house for up to 20,000 refugees.

It's the middle of the rainy season so it's important we can provide shelter and basic health care Paul Jenkins British Red Cross

Refugees are fleeing fighting between rebels and the government-backed militias, collectively known as the Janjaweed, who are accused of a campaign of terror.

The United Nations estimates at least 2m people need food aid in the region, but badly-needed water and sanitation equipment are also in acute demand.

Paul Jenkins of the British Red Cross said: "It's vital that we establish this new refugee camp as soon as possible.

"The sheer number of people who have arrived in Chad means existing camps are full and some refugees are suffering from malnutrition and poor health.

"It's the middle of the rainy season so it's important that we can provide shelter and basic health care."

'Worst humanitarian crisis'

Some refugees had been living in the border area for more than a year, putting strain on the local population's limited resources, he said.

The United Nations has demanded Sudan take action over what has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

In July the Security Council approved a resolution urging Sudan to put a stop to the violence by the end of August.

Arab militias that have driven hundreds of thousands of black Africans from their villages in the west of the country.

A 12 agency-strong British appeal under the Disasters Emergency Committee has raised more than £20m.

The British Red Cross Sudan Crisis Appeal is contactable on 08705 125 125, by sending a cheque payable to the British Red Cross to Sudan Crisis Appeal, Freepost, London, SW1X 7BR or at www.redcross.org.uk/sudan.