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Executive aid for Darfur refugees Executive aid for Darfur refugees
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish government is to give £250,000 to to help the victims of the violence in Darfur. The Scottish government is to give £250,000 to help the victims of the violence in Darfur.
The money, which will go to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), will be used to help "the poorest of the poor", said the fund.The money, which will go to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), will be used to help "the poorest of the poor", said the fund.
Announcing the grant, External Affairs Minister Linda Fabiani said the cash would support more than 120,000 people.Announcing the grant, External Affairs Minister Linda Fabiani said the cash would support more than 120,000 people.
More than two million people have been displaced since the conflict began in the Sudanese province began in 2003.More than two million people have been displaced since the conflict began in the Sudanese province began in 2003.
Darfur is a semi-arid western province of Sudan - Africa's largest country.Darfur is a semi-arid western province of Sudan - Africa's largest country.
The conflict started when rebel groups began attacking government targets.The conflict started when rebel groups began attacking government targets.
In retaliation, the government launched a military and police campaign.In retaliation, the government launched a military and police campaign.
Those who fled the violence are now living in camps across Darfur. About 235,000 refugees have crossed the border into Chad.Those who fled the violence are now living in camps across Darfur. About 235,000 refugees have crossed the border into Chad.
'Complex and desperate''Complex and desperate'
Britain has allocated £104m since April, and the Scottish Executive is already contributing by supporting an educational project in south Sudan with a £190,000 award.Britain has allocated £104m since April, and the Scottish Executive is already contributing by supporting an educational project in south Sudan with a £190,000 award.
Ms Fabiani said: "With the arrival of the rainy season, we are looking at immediate and practical solutions to support impoverished and displaced people.Ms Fabiani said: "With the arrival of the rainy season, we are looking at immediate and practical solutions to support impoverished and displaced people.
"In an area where three quarters of the population are farmers, this money from the Scottish government will provide essential seeds, tools and training to allow people to begin planting to feed themselves and their families.""In an area where three quarters of the population are farmers, this money from the Scottish government will provide essential seeds, tools and training to allow people to begin planting to feed themselves and their families."
SCIAF head of communications Mary Cullen said the money would help "the poorest of the poor".SCIAF head of communications Mary Cullen said the money would help "the poorest of the poor".
"It will go immediately to projects on the ground in Darfur to help keep people alive through what continues to be a complex and desperate crisis," she said."It will go immediately to projects on the ground in Darfur to help keep people alive through what continues to be a complex and desperate crisis," she said.
"The displaced population in Darfur now accounts for a staggering 2.1 million people, with the number of new arrivals going up all the time.""The displaced population in Darfur now accounts for a staggering 2.1 million people, with the number of new arrivals going up all the time."
Since January, an estimated 110,000 new people have fled to the camps for protection, food and shelter.Since January, an estimated 110,000 new people have fled to the camps for protection, food and shelter.