The United Nations reports fresh violence erupted in Sudan's Darfur region, with attacks by government helicopter gunships and government-backed militias in the region.

Aid agencies also alleged that the Sudanese government was putting pressure on displaced people in Darfur to return to their home villages despite continuing violence, CRIENGLISH.com reported Wednesday.

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR has expressed concern over pressure being exerted by Sudanese authorities on Darfur refugees to return to villages that are not safe and have few crops or homes left.

UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis said people who have already suffered the trauma of being chased from their homes by armed militiamen do not need the trauma of another forced move.

The Sudanese government and the United Nations recently agreed a plan to help IDPs to voluntarily return to safe areas in Darfur.

It's estimated that there are some 1.2 million IDPs in the region.

Darfur is considered by the United Nations as the site of the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Fighting in the region has left up to 10,000 people dead and some one million displaced.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said hepatitis E had appeared in Sudan for the first time in Darfur, causing 22 deaths mainly among pregnant women who are most at risk from the viral infection.

The 623 cases were probably caused by bad water and sanitation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2004)