As part of the regular briefings provided to the heads of international organisations in Geneva, Sudan’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Ambassador Hassan Hamed Hassan, met on Thursday with Dr. Muhammad Oglu, the newly appointed Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Permanent Representative congratulated him on his appointment and wished him success in his new responsibilities. He also expressed the Sudanese government’s appreciation and gratitude to the organisation, which has remained an active partner through its office in the country.
The ambassador then briefed the OCHA director on the widespread attacks carried out by the terrorist militia against strategic civilian facilities, particularly electricity and water infrastructure, and the serious humanitarian consequences resulting from these attacks. He also handed the director an official memorandum addressing the matter.
The Permanent Representative further reviewed the humanitarian situation and food security conditions in Sudan. In this regard, he noted that, in addition to the severe and direct humanitarian consequences of the militia’s systematic attacks on infrastructure, Sudan is among the African countries affected this year by the El Niño phenomenon, climate change, and declining rainfall.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the government is proceeding with its arrangements and direct coordination with all humanitarian organisations to strengthen food security and facilitate and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
He called for support for the government’s efforts to complete the rehabilitation of facilities, advance recovery and reconstruction efforts, and reinforce ongoing initiatives aimed at ensuring the success of the winter agricultural season. In this context, he emphasised the importance of ensuring accuracy and objectivity in data and reports concerning the humanitarian situation.
For his part, the Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that the organisation is closely monitoring recent developments and the escalation of drone attacks. He added that his office is following the humanitarian situation in Sudan closely, as well as the implementation of the Humanitarian Response Plan.
He also expressed his appreciation for the existing cooperation between the Sudanese government and the United Nations, stressing the importance of maintaining and strengthening this cooperation and coordination.
