Sudan adopts new measures to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid in Darfur
KHARTOUM, May 20, 2004 (SUNA) — The government has adopted a number of exceptional measures toward facilitating the arrival of humanitarian aid to the affected citizens in Darfur and to enable them to return to their home areas and to prepare for the coming agricultural season.
These measures were aimed at reducing the impacts of war and facilitating the work of Sudan partners in the humanitarian aid field.
In this regard, the government decided to give humanitarian aid workers of the United Nations, donors, the Red Cross and the non-governmental organizations entry visas directly from Sudan diplomatic missions abroad within a period of 48 hours, provided that the entry visa shall be valid for three months.
A joint statement of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs Thursday said that the government has decided suspension of the procedures concerning permits for travel to Darfur for a period of three months, indicating that entry visas and informing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with the name of the concerned person and the visit’s programme are enough measures for work in Darfur, besides continuing procedures by the concerned authorities for facilitating the entry of equipment for the humanitarian work in Darfur.
The statement explained that the new measures are to begin as of Monday, May 24.
The statement called on the African Union to speed up the deployment of its monitors of the cease-fire in Darfur toward easing the flow of humanitarian aid and boosting the stability at the area.
The two ministries also called on the displaced citizens and refugees to return to their home areas as soon as possible, affirming the government commitment to implement the action plan of the Ministry of Interior for providing security and protection. In a press statement, Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail said that the new measures were adopted in response to appeals of countries and organizations, besides the government’s awareness about the importance of quick delivery of humanitarian aid to Darfur.
He said that the new measures will facilitate the process of getting of entry visas from Sudan embassies abroad, stressing that these entry visas are enough for traveling directly to any area in Darfur states.
He said that offices will be opened at the airports besides assignment of customs officers for the clearance of the equipment and vehicles for the humanitarian work in Darfur.
The Foreign Minister said that the monitoring of cease-fire is essential to identify those who violate the cease-fire and providing more security for the citizens so as to return to their home areas before the rainy season. He said that the government has adopted the new measures due to its belief that the humanitarian situation in Darfur requires exceptional work.
Dr. Ismail has reiterated the government concern with the humanitarian situation in Darfur, referring to directives given to the Minister of Finance by the President of the Republic to give priority for providing the requirements of Darfur citizens.
He said that the government is keen to reach a political solution for Darfur problem and to contact with Darfur citizens toward achieving a common stance on convocation of a political conference for solution of Darfur problem.