The United Nations is to increase the number of unarmed staff in Sudan's Darfur region in hopes their presence will increase security for a population frightened by government and militia attacks.
The violence has hampered efforts by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help displaced residents of Darfur, and its staff has been largely restricted to caring for 200,000 Sudanese who have crossed into Chad to avoid attacks.
A UNHCR spokesman said. "Over the last two weeks there have been a series of incidents which have stymied movements by UNHCR. The teams we have on the ground have had to turn back several times because we have had various security incidents."
"It's a difficult place to work, but it's hoped that the more international eyes and ears you get on the ground, the more security we'll see."
Currently UNHCR has 50 people in Darfur and emergency teams who come and go.
The Sudanese government and two Darfur rebel groups have resumed talks in Nigeria on the Darfur crisis, with African Union mediators trying to seal an agreement to allow access by humanitarian groups to displaced people.
But rebels continue to demand a broader security deal be reached simultaneously, casting doubt on the talks.
The United Nations estimates at least 70,000 people have died in and around refugee camps in Darfur since March, but officials say they have no idea how many more have been killed in the fighting aimed at putting down a rebellion that began in February 2003.
The conflict, which the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis, has forced 1.7 million villagers from their homes.
The Sudanese government, which calls the death toll estimate an exaggeration, is accused of backing Arab militias known as the Janjaweed who have carried out a campaign of violence against black non-Arabs in an effort to put down the rebellion led by non-Arab groups. Sudan denies backing the Janjaweed.
AP