In his first mission as the new UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher visited war-torn Sudan on Monday, urging authorities to enhance access for relief and humanitarian workers.
“The crisis is dire, with over half of the Sudanese population in need of help, and 20,000 people displaced every day, on average,” Fletcher said in a letter to the humanitarian community from Port Sudan.
Fletcher met with Sudanese officials, including General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, president of the Transitional Sovereign Council. They discussed ways to remove obstacles to aid delivery, increase the presence of humanitarian personnel in the most affected areas, and facilitate the delivery of aid across borders and conflict lines.
“This crisis demands the world’s attention,” Fletcher emphasized, highlighting the staggering proportions of human suffering across the nation.
During his visit to Kassala, Fletcher toured a center for children without parental care who had to be evacuated due to the ongoing violence. He also visited a camp for displaced people, witnessing firsthand the hardships faced by civilians.
In a positive development, the World Food Program has established a second domestic route for the UN Humanitarian Air Service. The first flight from Port Sudan to Dongola in Northern State was completed on Sunday. “This new flight will enable humanitarian workers to expand their presence in northern Sudan and travel more quickly to Al Dabbah, a key transfer point for sending aid,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Fletcher’s visit aims to increase the visibility of the crisis and support humanitarian teams on the ground as they coordinate vital aid, listening and learning from those affected.
Reference(s):
New UN relief chief visits Sudan, appeals for more aid access
cgtn.com
