Norway allocates $10 mln to aid fund for Sudan

Jan 26, 2006 (STOCKHOLM) — Norway has allocated 65 million Norwegian kroner (10 million U.S. dollars) to a humanitarian fund that will be used to address the most urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan.

The fund will mainly be used for projects in Southern Sudan and Darfur. The objective is to enable humanitarian actors to respond rapidly to the people who are in greatest need, and to improve planning and coordination, according to a press release from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

“We are making this contribution to the Common Humanitarian Fund because we believe it is important for the UN to be in a better position to meet the humanitarian challenges in the whole of Sudan,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

The recent spiral of violence and attacks on civilians in Darfur is causing great concern. There are still major humanitarian needs one year after the peace agreement was signed by the government in Khartoum and the rebel movement SPLM/A.

Humanitarian organizations are afraid that the situation may become critical once again if they are prevented from doing their work in the area because of security problems.

“The international community must do its utmost to support peace in Sudan. In addition to active political support, Norway provides considerable funds for both humanitarian relief and more long-term activities. The UN has a vital role to play in coordinating efforts,” said Stoere.

The allocation was made at the request of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Manuel da Silva. Last year, Norway allocated nearly 300 million Norwegian kroner to humanitarian support in Sudan.

(Xinhua)