New_UN_Relief_Chief_Urges_Increased_Aid_Access_in_Sudan_During_First_Field_Visit

New UN Relief Chief Urges Increased Aid Access in Sudan During First Field Visit

In his inaugural field mission, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, has called on Sudanese authorities to enhance access for relief and humanitarian workers amid the ongoing conflict that has devastated the nation. Speaking from Port Sudan on Monday, Fletcher emphasized the urgent need to reach those most affected by the crisis.

Having recently succeeded Martin Griffiths in the role, Fletcher chose Sudan and neighboring Chad for his first official visit. In a letter addressed to the humanitarian community, he outlined his priorities: “The top objectives are to scale up access to those we need to support, increase the visibility of the crisis, back our humanitarian coordinators and teams in-country as they coordinate vital aid, and to listen and learn.”

Fletcher painted a grim picture of the situation in Sudan, highlighting that over half of the population requires assistance, with an average of 20,000 people displaced daily. “The crisis is dire,” he stated, urging the international community to focus attention and resources on alleviating the suffering.

During his visit, Fletcher met with Sudanese authorities, including General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council. Discussions centered on overcoming obstacles to aid delivery, increasing humanitarian presence in the most affected regions, and facilitating aid across borders and conflict lines.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ chief spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, reported that Fletcher aims to bring global attention to the plight of civilians across Sudan. Describing the crisis as “one of staggering proportions,” Fletcher stressed the need for immediate and sustained international support.

On Sunday, in the eastern city of Kassala, Fletcher visited a center housing children who had been evacuated due to escalated violence, as well as a camp for internally displaced persons. These visits underscored the profound human impact of the conflict, particularly on the most vulnerable populations.

In a positive development, the World Food Programme (WFP) has established a second domestic route for the UN Humanitarian Air Service. The inaugural flight from Port Sudan to Dongola in Northern State was completed on Sunday. “This new flight will enable humanitarian workers to expand their presence in northern Sudan and travel more quickly to Al Dabbah, a key transfer point for sending aid,” Dujarric explained.

The expanded air service is expected to bolster aid efforts by improving logistics and reducing travel times for humanitarian personnel. As the crisis continues, such initiatives are crucial for delivering assistance to remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Fletcher’s visit highlights the urgent need for increased humanitarian access and international support in Sudan. With millions in need and a rapidly evolving situation, the UN and its partners are seeking collaborative solutions to address one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.

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