UN Official Warns Aid May Halt if Sudan Violence Does Not Stop

U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland says he may halt aid to the western Darfur region of Sudan if violence there continues to escalate.

Mr. Egeland told reporters at U.N. headquarters in Geneva Wednesday that the rising violence in the Darfur region has put aid workers at risk.

He says if the situation worsens, they may not be able to continue the humanitarian operation for the 2.5 million people in the region who require assistance.

Mr. Egeland says the situation has gotten so serious, the aid could stop within a day.

Earlier this week, special U.N. advisor Juan Mendez said violence was continuing in Darfur despite the claims of the Sudanese government.

The fighting in Darfur pits rebels against government-backed Arab militia and has sent hundreds of thousands of people fleeing into Chad.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.