Darfur update; Catholic Bishops call for intervention

The UN's World Food Program continues its airdrops of food into parts of Darfur made otherwise inaccessible by the rainy season. However, WFP depends on international contributions, and the UN's humanitarian relief coordinator, Denis McNamara, reports that the UN has received only $177 million of the $365 million needed in this year. He also noted today that the women of Darfur continue to face a "protection crisis." According to McNamara, "Cases of sexual violence and multiple rapes are incredibly high and women face even higher risks whenever they venture too far from their settlements to look for basics such as firewood."

Also of note today, the Catholic World News reports that the Bishops of Sudan are calling for immediate international intervention, stating that, "As bishops we cannot overlook the annihilation of any ethnic group, whatever their creed, nature, or clan." Bishop Macram Max Gassis of the El Obeid diocese, which includes Darfur, said today, "This is actual genocide."