Sudanese Red Cross and Red Crescent agree to enhance cooperation
September 4, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies agreed yesterday to further strengthen cooperation in Sudan.
The Memorandum of Understanding, which is signed also by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, constitutes the framework for the activities of all partner National Societies of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement working in the country.
The parties stressed on their neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian identity while conducting their humanitarian work and operations across the country.
“All the events that Sudan has been through have called for the strict adherence to the humanitarian principles: helping those that are urgently in need, regardless of their location, ethnic origin, or political opinion”, said Osman Gaffar Abdalla, the SRCS Secretary General.
“Our main goal is to strengthen the capacity of the SRCS, our primary partners in the Sudan,” Jordi Raich, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan, “in order to respond to the essential needs of victims of armed conflict in different parts of the country, especially in the south in light of the current increase of communal clashes.”
“The specific role of the Federation in the area of organisational development is the coordination of international support in the field of assistance to returnees and populations affected by natural disasters and other causes not linked to conflict,” said Dr. Dietrich Fischer, the Federation’s country representative.
The Federation provides guidance to the partners especially Participating National Societies in the capacity building activities of the SRCS.
The MoU, which was signed at SRCS offices in Khartoum, goes into effect immediately. It shows that the SRCS has the support of the largest humanitarian network in the world with its 100 millions volunteers.
(ST)