UN Sudan assists displaced civilians from Bahr El Ghazal

Khartoum, 14 June 2001 -- The United Nations in Sudan has established an Emergency Response Team (ERT) in Khartoum in support of the efforts of the Government to provide humanitarian relief and assistance to tens of thousands of displaced civilians fleeing the SPLA offensive in western Bahr el Ghazal State.
The ERT, which was convened on 7 June 2001 and which will meet regularly until the immediate crisis is contained, comprises representatives of the UN agencies WFP and UNICEF, and from the NGO and Donor Government communities in Khartoum.

The ERT will complement the efforts on the ground of a Local Relief Committee in Ed Daein, which brings together the UN and NGO communities with governmental authorities, and which is guiding the immediate relief work.

An inter-sectoral team is currently assessing the situation, and mechanisms are being established to respond to the crisis, including addressing the special needs of children under five years of age and those separated from their parents.

From a forward base in Ed Daein, supplies of food, water, essential drugs and vaccines, shelter materials and other non-food items are already beginning to reach those affected, and temporary facilities are being put in place to care for them out of the war-affected areas.

For further information, please contact:

Isabella Dougan, Information Officer, UN-OCHA, Khartoum, Tel: (249-11) 783757

Yaver Sayyed, Information and Reports Officer, WFP. Khartoum, Tel: (249-11) 475826

Nance Webber, Communications Officer, UNICEF, Khartoum (249-11) 471835