ICRC struggling to deliver aid in Sudan

Unrest in parts of Sudan is hampering efforts to deliver assistance to those in need, Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan, said. The International Committee of the Red Cross said the abduction of eight of its staff members in Darfur in August interfered with its work. "Incidents like this have an effect on the humanitarian work we do for people who are suffering," Sandoz said in a statement Thursday. The staff members, kidnapped by gunmen, were held for two weeks. The ICRC said it was working with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society to deliver aid to civilians trapped by conflict in the restive Darfur region. "We've scaled up our emergency response because of rising violence in Darfur, where people face increased hardship," Sandoz said. "We've brought vital assistance to violence-affected areas." The ICRC said Darfur remains one of its top priorities in Sudan. It's been unable to gain access to the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, both troubled by separate conflicts. "We have offered to carry out an impartial assessment of the needs in these areas, and to provide relief to the people most severely affected," Sandoz said. "So far, however, we have not been granted access there."