Sudan: A Tragedy of Epic Proportions

As in 2006, the 2007 humanitarian operation in Sudan was the most extensive in the world, coping with the aftermath of interrelated conflicts mainly in the west and south of the country. Circumstances have not improved. On the contrary, the humanitarian situation deteriorated dramatically, with violence, brutality, gross human rights violations, and mass civilian displacements increasing throughout the country. According to Amnesty International (AI), torture was widespread and systematic in some areas, including Darfur; human rights defenders and foreign aid organisations were harassed and freedom of expression curtailed. In addition to man-made atrocities, floods in July and August intensified suffering for the already vulnerable population.