UN airlifts food to Darfur town

More than 1.2 million people in Darfur have fled their homes

The UN is airlifting food to remote communities in Sudan's troubled Darfur region cut off by heavy rains.

The UN's World Food Programme dropped food into the town of Beida, on the border with Chad.

The lift came as the UN warned that 30,000 refugees might cross into Chad to escape persecution in Darfur.

It has given Sudan's government until the end of the month to disarm pro-government Arab militiamen who have been carrying out attacks in Darfur.

More than 1.2 million people in Darfur have fled their homes since fighting began 18 months ago.

Roads blocked

The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Beida says about 1,000 people gathered by a field on the edge of the town as huge Russian cargo planes flew overhead, dropping off hundreds of bags of maize and sorghum.

The natural instinct of the majority of the council will not be on August 30th [to] slap some heavy-duty sanctions on Sudan UK Foreign Office spokesman

Days of heavy rain have filled river beds, or wadis, blocking road access.

Our correspondent says the population of Beida, like many towns in Darfur, has grown dramatically in recent months.

Thousands of people fleeing the Arab militias have sought refuge there.

Now they are cut off from their villages and their fields and are unable to harvest their crops.

The UN says many will soon cross over to Chad.

It says the influx will strain its ability to provide food and shelter for refugees there.

DARFUR CONFLICT More than 1m displaced Up to 50,000 killed More at risk from disease and starvation Arab militias accused of ethnic cleansing Sudan blames rebels for starting conflict Q&A: Darfur conflict

Some 180,000 people are living in desperate conditions in camps on Chad's side of the border.

The UN Security Council has given Sudan's government until 30 August to disarm pro-government Janjaweed militias.

However, a UK Foreign Office spokesman said the council would be reluctant to impose heavy sanctions such as an oil embargo or travel bans on Sudanese ministers.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw makes a two-day visit to Sudan starting on Monday.

He will meet government leaders and visit a refugee camp in northern Darfur.

The BBC's Paul Reynolds says that Mr Straw's visit has been timed to help him reach a conclusion as to what the Security Council should do next.

Talks sponsored by the African Union are due to begin on Monday in Nigeria, between the Sudanese government and two black African rebel groups it has been fighting in Darfur.

Sudan denies backing the Arab Janjaweed militias and says the rebel groups are responsible for the crisis.