Sudan: UN Coordinator calls for improved cooperation to expedite assistance
John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, concluded
a four day visit to Sudan on Sunday, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive and constructive dialogue with
the government on the humanitarian imperative.
During his visit , Mr. Holmes met with the Government, UN agencies, international and national non-governmental
organizations, donors and people affected by the conflict. He visited both northern and southern Darfur where he met
with local government officials. He acknowledged that the Joint Communiqué, signed after his last visit in March, has
proved a good mechanism to address concerns of the humanitarian community operating in Darfur, particularly bureaucratic
issues, while making clear that there are still concerns in some areas.
"The purpose of my mission was to discuss these issues with the government and to assess the humanitarian situation on
the ground. It is important to strengthen trust and confidence, which requires a personal and continuous commitment from
me and from many others. While the signing of the Joint Communiqué has moved us a long way, some important challenges
remain in making sure humanitarian principles are fully respected and reaching all those who need help" he said.
"I am concerned that displacement is still continuing, even while some people have been able to return. We also need to
keep working at increasing the ability of humanitarian agencies and workers to operate in an efficient and timely
manner, despite problems such as car-jackings," Mr. Holmes added.
Mr. Holmes was given assurances by the government that there would be no problem with the extension of the "Moratorium
on restrictions" enabling International NGOs to continue to operate as smoothly as possible in Darfur. He expressed the
strong hope that it would be formally extended soon. "This is vital considering that on December 11, the Sudan Workplan
2008 requesting 2.2 billion dollars to address humanitarian, early recovery and recovery and development needs will be
launched, including $825 million dollars for Darfur. NGOs are the main implementing partners on the ground," said Mr.
Holmes.
Mr. Holmes also made clear that the UN stood ready to help with extra food needs, for the population of Darfur as a
whole, if early indications of a potentially poor food harvest in Darfur were confirmed.
On the issue of returns, Mr. Holmes made clear that it was the aim of all concerned to ensure that the displaced could
return to their normal lives as soon as possible. At the same time the conditions for this had to be right. He listened
to the concerns of internally displaced people in a camp near Ed Daein in southern Darfur. They made clear their strong
desire to return but also told him that they would only do so once it was safe. They hoped basic services would be in
place too.
"It is clear that return of IDPs must always be voluntary, participative and to suitable and safe areas accessible by
the humanitarian service providers" Mr. Holmes said.
ENDS