UN Coordinator welcomes Sudan’s approval for aid to Two Areas

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan has welcomed the decision by the Sudanese government to approve a UN’s initiative to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people in rebel-controlled areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“I welcome and commend this decision by the government of Sudan to provide access to the most vulnerable people in need,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator Gwi-Yeop Son said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Last week, the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) announced it approved a UN initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to people living in areas controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile states).

The UN World Food Programme office in Sudan will coordinate the provision of aid with the government and the SPLM-N, if the latter agrees.

Gwi-Yeop stated that the UN “stands ready to work closely with the government of Sudan and with the leadership of the SPLM-N in Blue Nile and South Kordofan for coordinating a more permanent and sustainable access.

“This will provide much needed humanitarian assistance to people who have been affected by the conflict and have not been accessible from within Sudan since 2011.”

She further called on all parties “to facilitate the urgent delivery of assistance”.