UN’s Holmes arrives in Sudan to review humanitarian situation

May 6, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — UN humanitarian chief John Holmes Wednesday arrived in Khartoum on a five-day visit to review humanitarian situation in both Southern and Western Sudan.

Homes visit is the first since the expulsion of 13 aid groups from Darfur region where more than 2.7 displaced persons are fed by these international nongovernmental organizations. Since, UN officials said alarmed by the humanitarian situation there.

This evening he discussed the humanitarian situation in the country with the head of the UN Mission in Sudan Asharf Qazi, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ameerah Haq, and representatives from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.

On Thursday he is scheduled to meet representatives of the Government of Sudan, and will participate in a High Level Committee meeting on the implementation of the Joint Communique on the Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur signed in March 28, 2007.

He will then proceed to Southern Sudan on Friday 8 May, where he will meet UN officials and representatives from the Government of Southern Sudan. He will pay a visit to Akobo, where he will meet internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In Southern Sudan, he will advocate for greater attention to north-south issues, the needs of civilians and a strategy for relief and recovery in Southern Sudan.

On Saturday he will travel to Darfur to meet with local leaders and aid workers and to visit Zam Zam camp for IDPs in North Darfur.

Holmes will review the humanitarian situation in the areas, two months after the expulsions were announced. He will also review issues pertaining to the protection of civilians in Darfur.

(ST)