UN Sudan steps up relief operations in South Darfur
Khartoum, 21 June 2001 -- The United
Nations in the Sudan is deeply concerned about the massive displacement
of the civilian population from western Bahr El Ghazal. The UN is therefore
coordinating its efforts and mobilising resources to facilitate relief
assistance to thousands of civilians that continue to arrive in the South
Darfur region from several directions.
The UN in the Sudan has positioned an
adequate amount of relief supplies in Ed Daein, and more is on its way.
WFP is distributing food to the affected population, while UNICEF has provided
shelter materials, essential drugs and vaccines, safe water supply and
other non-food items. UN-OCHA is playing a key role in the coordination
and monitoring of the humanitarian response. UN agencies are currently
mobilising funds to provide transportation for thousands of IDPs moving
out of the war-affected areas. INGOs are also actively involved in assisting
the UN agencies in deploying health personnel, providing relief supplies
and technical assistance, establishing transit care centres and reuniting
families separated by the conflict. The Government of Sudan is already
providing assistance mainly through food distributions and transport arrangements.
As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, the UN agencies are intensifying their efforts to contain the crisis and prevent loss of lives. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) in Khartoum is supporting the work of the Local Relief Committee (LRC) in Ed Daein. A high level delegation comprising representatives from the Government and the UN visited the area and witnessed the arrangements that have been made to respond to the crisis.
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