Statement by Sergio Vieira de Mello, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator: Sierra Leone

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sergio Vieira de Mello noted with great satisfaction the successful completion yesterday of an UN-led Inter-agency humanitarian mission to the rebel-held town of Buedu in Sierra Leone. The mission comprised senior representatives of UN organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and international NGOs.
The rebel commanders, Brigadier-General Sam Bokarie and Steve Williams Coordinator of RUF's humanitarian wing, provided the mission with assurances for the security of humanitarian personnel nationwide. They also agreed to participate in the planning of humanitarian assessment missions as early as next week. The first humanitarian missions would go to Makeni, Kambia, Kabala and Koindu.

The Under-Secretary-General welcomes these assurances for the safety of relief workers that will enable humanitarian organizations to evaluate and address the emergency needs of some 2.6 million civilians who have remained inaccessible since 1998. He also hopes that the peace agreement signed yesterday between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Rebel United Front will allow for increased access to civilians in need of humanitarian assistance throughout Sierra Leone.