Military

DATE=12/04/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=WFP/SUDAN (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-320915

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

HEADLINE: UN Agency Appeals for Funds to De-Mine Sudan Roads

INTRO: The World Food Program is appealing for 64-million dollars to clear landmines and repair roads in southern Sudan. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports, the WFP says this project would greatly facilitate the delivery of food to millions of people in the war-ravaged region.

TEXT: The government of Sudan in the north and rebels in the South are expected to sign a peace agreement this month, ending more than two decades of civil war.

A spokeswoman for the World Food Program, Christiane Berthiaume, says between one-half-million and one-million displaced people and refugees are likely to return to southern Sudan, if the peace deal goes through. But she says it is too dangerous for people to return home on southern Sudan's roads. Ms. Berthiaume says the WFP urgently needs 64-million dollars to repair and de-mine nearly two-thousand kilometers of roads in this area.

/// BERTHIAUME ACT ///

"First, for people to go back home safely. Also, this will help the economy of the region, when there is going to be trade and commercial traffic, activities. And, also for us it is important because, if, at last, we can have roads, we will be able to bring food aid by road, instead of air-dropping food, as we do right now, because there are no roads, and it costs so much money. So, this is really very important."

/// END ACT ///

Sudan is a huge country. Southern Sudan alone comprises an expanse of 650-thousand square kilometers, a territory as big as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Yet, it has less than 20-thousand kilometers of road and only a few of these roads are paved.

WFP began this road mine-clearance project in October, but was forced to stop the operation when funds ran out. Ms. Berthiaume says work on the roads can only be done during the dry season. She says, it has to be completed before the rains begin in May.

/// 2ND BERTHIAUME ACT ///

"You cannot repair roads during that time. And, again, if there is a peace agreement signed at the end of December, people will want to go back before the rainy season, before May. So, it is really very urgent. If we want to help this part of Sudan to stabilize, and if we want to contribute to the peace agreement, I think it would be a wise investment to invest in the infrastructure."

/// END ACT ///

Right now, the WFP feeds two-million people living in areas controlled by both the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan Peoples Liberation Army. Ms. Berthiaume says her agency expects this number to increase to three-million next year, due to drought and expected returns. (SIGNED)

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