Brussels, 05/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Greatly concerned by the worsening of the humanitarian situation in Sudan and South Sudan, Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, reiterated her appeal to the authorities of those countries on Thursday 5 July, urging them to abide by the principles of international humanitarian law. She pointed out that the EU is ready to provide massive humanitarian aid as soon as Khartoum grants free access to humanitarian workers.
In a statement published on Thursday, Georgieva notes the Sudan government's acceptance of the Tripartite Proposal of the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations for the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. She says, however, that she shares the concerns expressed by Valérie Amos, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
The commissioner sounds a note of alarm saying: “It is vital that neutral, impartial, independent and experienced humanitarian workers can reach these people to assess their needs and to immediately deliver the assistance necessary for their survival. (…) More than 200,000 people have fled to South Sudan and Ethiopia, where they arrive exhausted, famished, and impoverished. Many of the weakest die on their way and the newly arrived children are seriously malnourished. Those left behind live in a war zone, with no access to basic health services and with rapidly dwindling food stocks, as the fighting endangers local food production”.
Georgieva also states that, in Darfur, humanitarian workers do not have access to rebel-controlled areas and that, in other regions of Darfur and the East of Sudan, “humanitarian needs are pressing”. (AN/transl.jl)