The UN’s top humanitarian official says Darfur is on the brink of a new humanitarian disaster threatening massive loss of life.

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland: “We’re now close to having a free fall of our operation in Darfur. We have the worst security situation since 2004, we have the worst access since 2004, we have some of the worst atrocities since 2004. The way it is now it can not continue. Many aid organizations are now debating whether they should leave Darfur because they can not provide assistance in an effective manner and because they have lost too many colleagues.”

Jan Egeland went on to call for increased humanitarian aid and a stronger peacekeeping force for Darfur. His comments come as Amnesty International warns the Sudanese military is engaged in a massive build-up of troops in preparation for a new offensive against Darfurian rebel groups.