Although we have do not have adequate access to all parts of Darfur we do fortunately have humanitarian personnel, including staff from my own office, in each of the three provincial capitals of Darfur.

It's a cruel reality. But after a week, very few people survive.

Increasingly gang violence and organized crime, together with climate change-driven natural disasters, are displacing more people as wars are fewer on the continent and political violence has decreased considerably, the NRC has decided to treat this as a humanitarian crisis.

Finally, I am encouraged to note that the Security Council issued a statement today expressing its concern about the massive humanitarian crisis in Darfur and calling on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and reach a ceasefire.

I think now Somalia is turning a corner and we can, with the new political development, build on momentum - really build a peaceful future.

Many access roads are too dangerous for relief workers, preventing them from carrying out assessments or reaching people in need.

First there is the search and rescue phase that is now ending. It is a cruel reality.