Tom Eric Vraalsen, who visited West, North and South Darfur on 6 and 7 December, said, "Denials of access are the greatest impediments to humanitarian efforts in the area," according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today.

Whereas in September humanitarian aid could partially cover needs, "now humanitarian operations have come to a virtual standstill," he said.

He was shocked by the conditions in which the internally displaced persons were living, he said, adding that conditions in inaccessible areas were bound to be even worse.

In his meeting with the Tripartite Committee - comprising representatives of the Sudanese Government, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the mediating Government of Chad - Mr. Vraalsen strongly urged the parties to stop fighting and renew the ceasefire, with the participation of all concerned, including militias.

The United Nations has received many reports of systematic raids against civilian populations, including burning and looting of villages and large-scale killings and abductions. Humanitarian organizations have also been targeted, with staff being kidnapped and relief trucks looted.