UN Sudan aid boss says ‘concerned’ at access limits in battle zone

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Georg Charpentier, is “concerned” at the limits on aid in Jebel Marra due to “intensified fighting in parts of Eastern Jebel Marra in Darfur.” He said this in an e-mail statement Thursday afternoon. However, he noted that WHO and UNICEF teams have recently accessed some parts of Eastern Jebel Marra.He noted that he has received “assurances” from the government that it will allow greater access for a national immunization campaign that started Thursday. Jebel Marra was entirely cut off frome aid access for several consecutive months earlier this year.

Past press releases from Georg Charpentier have been screened by the Sudanese ministry of humanitarian affairs, a UN official who is senior to Charpentier has told the New York-based Inner City Press. Charpentier has denied this.