UN humanitarian chief arrives in Sudan capital

November 24, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — United Nations Undersecretary-General for humanitarian affairs John Holmes arrived today to the Sudanese capital in a six-day visit to the country.

Homes, who is arrived from the Chadian capital, is expected to visit the troubled Darfur region and the southern Sudan where he will inspect the humanitarian situation in these regions. He should also hold talks with the Sudanese official in Khartoum on November 30 before his departure.

The humanitarian chief launched on November 20 the U.N. Work Plan for Sudan which is valued at $2.2 billion. He appealed donors for 1.56 billion dollars saying that $619 million of that funding has already been secured.

Almost half of the total requirement, some $1.05 billion, is for Darfur, where an estimated 4.5 million people continue to be in need of assistance after six years of conflict between the government forces and the rebel groups.

During his visit to Chad, Holmes visited refugees camps in eastern Chad, where more than 300,000 refugees from Sudan and the Central African Republic and about 180,000 IDPs.

To date, donors have provided $242 million for the humanitarian appeal for Chad, which is 77% of the funding required. However, mine action, water and sanitation, education and early recovery remain somewhat underfunded.

Holmes also welcomed the recent progress in relations between Chad and Sudan, including the exchange of ambassadors in early November 2008.

He noted that Sudanese refugees will return to their country only once the crisis that affects that country is solved. It is thus extremely important that political efforts continue

(ST)