Sudan govt adopts measures to facilitate relief to Darfur

KHARTOUM, June 3, 3004 (SUNA) — The government has decided to adopt measures to facilitate the customs’ procedures concerning relief materials and equipment and vehicles, in accordance with the programmes which were agreed upon.

The government also decided to facilitate the procedures of civil aviation for the humanitarian aid workers for Darfur, besides helping those who are working in the humanitarian aid field to surpass obstacles of transportation.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs said that the government adopted a number of measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur, adding that the new measures received full response from the United Nations, organizations and the international community.

The statement said that formation of a technical committee of specialized bodies was agreed upon after a meeting toward easing the flow of the humanitarian aid into Darfur.

This procedure included maintaining of the previous measures of giving entry visas at Sudan embassies abroad during 48 hours.

The minister has met with the resident representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) and agreed with him on a number of measures which help improving the food situation, and got assured that the food materials of the state and the programme is sufficient till next October, the statement said.

The ministry announced that a comprehensive programme has been prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior to secure and protect the villages in the affected areas in Darfur, affirming that it would spare no effort to assist all the needy and affected people in Darfur, in light of the total change of the humanitarian situation in Darfur after the voluntary return of the displaced to their villages and their immediate engagement in rehabilitation work to catch up with the rainy season.