Donor delegation to assess humanitarian situation in Sudan
October 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A high-level donor delegation will start a three-day visit Sudan on Sunday to gain first-hand experience of the challenges and opportunities around humanitarian action in the country particularly in Darfur and Blue Nile.
According to a media advisory issued by OCHA Saturday, the delegation will meet senior government officials in Khartoum, donors, diplomatic missions and humanitarian aid organizations in addition to completing field visits to Darfur and the Blue Nile.
Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the delegation which includes representatives from the ministries of international cooperation and humanitarian work in the donor countries will assess the humanitarian situation in order to convince the donors to offer funds for the new year.
He pointed out that the visit was originally scheduled for last April but has been delayed due to the general elections.
The Sudanese diplomat described the visit as important, saying the delegation will evaluate the developments in humanitarian aid and security areas.
According to him, the delegation will meet with the foreign minister and his under-secretary, the minister of social welfare and the humanitarian aid commissioner in addition to visiting Darfur and the Blue Nile.
According to UN figures, 5.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Despite the ongoing efforts to bring peace in western Sudan there are over 2.5 million displaced people in Darfur.
Sudan also is the home of nearly 500,000 refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries.
(ST)