(CT & others) Hope for the famine-hit regions of Southern Sudan is growing, after the resumption of peace talks last week. Representatives of the Sudanese Government and the Sudan people's Liberation Army (SPLA) met in Nairobi last Monday, in an effort to end the country's 15-year civil war, which with widespread drought and crop failure has displaced many hundreds of thousands of refugees.

The Sudan Government agreed in principle that a referendum should be held on self-determination for the South. It also became possible last week for more aircraft to fly into the South but aid agencies are now worried that the rains will wash away existing roads for the trucks entering the country from the South with relief supplies.

Christian agencies have appealed for funds to help those in Southern Sudan. The United Nations is hoping to carry out six flights a day to the country and the World Food Programme is asking governments for £12 million and UNICEF has appealed for £4 million.

Up to a million people are thought to be a risk from severe malnutrition in the region.