Lumley part of TV campaign to aid plight in Darfur and Chad

TWO television broadcasts were shown last night as part of an emergency appeal to help those suffering in Darfur and Chad.

Actress Joanna Lumley and journalist Feargal Keane appeared in films shown on ITV and the BBC respectively.

Britain's biggest charities joined forces to launch the campaign, which aims to help those suffering before the rainy season brings yet more misery.

A high-profile telephone campaign also took place with volunteers including TV presenter Claudia Winkleman taking calls from the BT Tower in London.

The appeal was backed by BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. More than 4.5 million people have been affected by the ongoing conflict which has spread from Darfur to Chad and on to the Central African Republic.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been living in makeshift camps for up to four years and their shelters are unlikely to withstand another change in season. The rains - which will arrive in the next four weeks - are expected to bring a sharp increase in illness and diseases and food and medicine levels are worryingly low.