Sudan: Top U.N. humanitarian official calls for spirit of constructive cooperation to prevail in Darfur

(New York: 27 August): John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has expressed serious concern about reports emerging from Sudan that Paul Barker, Country Director for CARE, one of the world's largest international nongovernmental organizations, may be forced to leave Sudan within 72 hours.

"Given that CARE is a significant provider of humanitarian assistance to a large number of people in Sudan, the ambiguity of Mr. Barker's current status is all the more distressing," said Mr. Holmes. "This is particularly true in light of the positive cooperation that has characterized recent implementation of the Joint Communiqué."

The Joint Communiqué, signed by the Government of Sudan and the United Nations (UN) in May of this year, was instrumental in helping to secure visas and work permits for humanitarian workers, and helped to spur the clearance of humanitarian goods through customs.

"We hope to build on the positive steps undertaken in recent months to advance the spirit of the Joint Communiqué," said Mr Holmes. "However, much more needs to be done in letter as well as spirit to ensure the Communiqué is implemented fully to the benefit of all civilians throughout Sudan."

In particular, Mr Holmes stressed that more needs to be done to solidify relations between the humanitarian community and the Government of Sudan. At present, there are 12,300 aid workers, including 893 international staff, providing assistance to some 4.2 million people in Darfur, including 2.1 million internally displaced persons.

Over the past three years, CARE has provided vitally-needed humanitarian assistance to some four million people throughout Sudan, including the distribution of food and non-food items, support and provision of health care. CARE has operated in Sudan for 27 years.

"I very much hope that the spirit of constructive cooperation will continue to prevail, and will assist in resolving any misunderstandings or miscommunication, including in the present situation regarding Mr. Barker's case," said Mr. Holmes. "We are in touch with all the relevant parties and are monitoring the situation closely."

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Dizery Salim, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.