UN official warns of possible collapse of humanitarian situation in Darfur

Source: Xinhua | 05-11-2009 08:10

KHARTOUM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Under-Secretary General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes warned Sunday a possible collapse of humanitarian situation in the restive western Sudanese region of Darfur.

The UN official told a press conference at the end of his visit to Sudan that the humanitarian situation in Darfur would likely collapse unless the parties of the humanitarian process exerted efforts to ensure the stability and provide necessary requirements to face the autumn.

"The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains grave, and thanks to the efforts of the Sudanese government and the United Nations and relief organizations we have overcame the gaps in basic needs," Holmes said at the UN headquarters in Khartoum.

"But we need more time to fill in gaps in other areas, and if we do not continue the work the situation will collapse completely," the UN official warned.

He called on the Sudanese government to reverse its decision of expelling 13 foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) which had engaged in the humanitarian relief works in Darfur.

"We are sorry for the decision and the way it was carried out, and we are still waiting for the government to change its position," Holmes said.

He disclosed that his talks with the Sudanese officials focus on the phenomenon of the abduction of humanitarian workers and how to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to the needy in Darfur.

"We are extremely worried about the kidnapping of workers I have asked the government authorities to declare publicly that this behavior is unacceptable and it will work to prevent the recurrence of this phenomenon," the UN official said.

Holmes also warned of what he called "tribal violence" in southern Sudan, noting that 20,000 displaced people living in poor conditions in the Jonglei State in southern Sudan.

During the four-day visit in Sudan, Holmes held talks in Khartoum with a number of government officials, and visited the western Sudanese region of Darfur and southern Sudan.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei