1998 Sudan famine

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The famine in Sudan in 1998 was a humanitarian disaster caused mainly by human rights abuses, as well as drought and the failure of the international community to react to the famine risk with adequate speed.[1] The worst affected area was Bahr El Ghazal in southwestern Sudan. In this region over 70,000[citation needed] people died[citation needed] during the famine.

Contents

[edit] Causes

The famine was caused almost entirely by human rights abuse and the war in Southern Sudan.[2] Despite the Sudanese government's claims that only the rebel groups were to blame,[3] Human Rights Watch blamed the following groups:[1]

The government and Kuanyin Bol are blamed for their role in destroying the local agriculture during their attempt to take the city of Wau.[4] The SPLA are blamed for their maintenance of slavery and pilfering of aid.[3]

This was worsened by the late arrival of the rainy season[2] and a failure to respond to the situation by the international community.[5]

[edit] Effects

The effects on the region were massive, with the excess mortality estimated at about 70 000 people.[6] Many more are thought to have been displaced, with over 72 000 people reported as migrating from the threatened rural zones to Wau alone from May 1998 to August 1998.[7]

[edit] Aftermath

A ceasefire was signed on July 15, 1998, some eight months after the Sudanese government had first warned of a possible famine.[5] After numerous extensions, this ceasefire lasted nearly a year, until April 1999. However, the Baggara militia continued to ignore the ceasefire, reducing the ability of aid agencies to help.[8] Thanks to a good crop and this ceasefire, however, the situation was brought under control by the end of 1998.[9] However, the area has remained in trouble and a number of famine warnings have come since the end of 1998.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b Famine In Sudan, 1998 Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
  2. ^ a b Despite aid effort, Sudan famine squeezing life from dozens daily CNN, Accessed May 25 2006
  3. ^ a b 70 Sudanese dying daily due to famine Arabicnews.com Accessed May 25 2006
  4. ^ The 1998 Famine In Bahr El Ghazal Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
  5. ^ a b 1998: UN warns of famine in Sudan BBC Accessed May 25 2006
  6. ^ Famine in the Sudan: Causes, Preparedness and Response Luka Biong Deng, Institute of Development Studies, 1999, accessed August 29 2006]
  7. ^ Bahr El Ghazal and the Famine of 1998 Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006]
  8. ^ Cease-fire Brought Relief Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
  9. ^ Political Complications Boding Ill For Future Relief: The 1998 Famine in Bahr El Ghazal is Brought Under Control Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Sudan_famine"
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