US sends flood relief supplies to Sudan
August 8, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The United States Government today airlifted 1300 rolls of plastic sheeting that will help provide shelter for 78,000 individuals in the flood-affected areas of northern and eastern Sudan. The material is valued at over one-half million U.S. dollars.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez requested the U.S. assistance saying, “The U.S. Government is pleased to provide additional shelter materials to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the recent flooding. The U.S. continues to be committed to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.”
The Undersecretary for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Charles Manyang, accepted the material on behalf of the Government of Sudan, and expressed his gratitude to the U.S. and its partners.
This plastic sheeting will be distributed via the Common Humanitarian Pipeline, a quick-response distribution network established in 2004 and managed by the U.N. Joint Logistics Centre with support from UNICEF and the non-governmental organization CARE International.
This distribution mechanism, largely supported by the USG to quickly respond to non-food item needs throughout Sudan, has played a vital role in ensuring that lifesaving materials, like plastic sheeting, cooking sets, and mosquito nets, arrive rapidly to flood-affected areas. The Common Pipeline has already rushed material to nine affected states in the north of Sudan, benefiting more than 200,000 people.
Speaking on behalf of the Common Pipeline partners, UNICEF Representative Ted Chaiban recognized the importance of effective collaboration, saying “In emergencies, it is critical that there is a speedy and appropriate response to meet immediate needs. This is being achieved in Sudan’s flood-affected regions, because the Government, the international community, the UN and the non-governmental organizations have worked together. We remain committed to this spirit of partnership, to better serve those affected by this emergency.”
The U.S. is the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and Darfur. The U.S. has contributed more than $2.6 billion for humanitarian, development, and reconstruction projects in Sudan and eastern Chad in FY 2005 and FY 2006, and has provided more than half of all humanitarian assistance to Sudan. Through humanitarian programs the U.S. provides shelter, food, water and sanitation, health and hygiene, relief supplies and income-generation funds for those in need.
(US Embassy in Khartoum)