UNITED NATIONS ENCOURAGES GULF COUNTRIES TO INCREASE SUPPORT TO SUDAN

KUWAIT CITY, 11 September (OCHA) -- Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, the Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, visited Kuwait from 7 to 8 September as part of a mission to the Gulf region that includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.  Ambassador Sahnoun was accompanied by a representative from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).  The purpose of the mission was to underline the gravity of the current situation in the Sudan and the humanitarian challenges facing the international community in Darfur and southern Sudan, as well as to encourage increased support from countries in the region for the Sudan.

Ambassador Sahnoun, accompanied by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, met with the Under-Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Khalid Al Jarallah, and commended the longstanding efforts of the Kuwait Government in assisting Sudanese communities, particularly those affected by the recent crisis in Darfur.  Ambassador Sahnoun also discussed ways in which the Kuwaiti Government could provide further support to the Sudanese Government and people through the United Nations system, highlighting the competitive advantage of the United Nations in the provision and coordination of large-scale humanitarian operations, as well as the neutrality and expertise of the Organization.

Meetings also took place with the Deputy Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Abdel Wahab Al Bader, the Vice-Chairman of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Dr. Helal Al Sayer, the Chairman of International Islamic Charitable Organisation, Youssef Al Hajji and the Chairman of DirectAid-African Muslims Agency, Abdul Rahman Smeit.

The situation in Darfur, which is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, has led to more than 1 million internally displaced persons and 200,000 refugees in neighbouring Chad.  There is serious concern among humanitarian agencies that the number of people in need of international assistance could rise from 1.2 million to 2 million by October 2004.  There are a number of issues limiting the ability of the United Nations to reach the affected population.  Some of these problems, such as logistical constraints, can be resolved if the international community mobilized the necessary resources.

United Nations agencies have appealed to the donor community to meet humanitarian needs in Darfur, reintegration assistance in south Sudan and other urgent priorities until the remainder of 2004.  Out of a total requirement of $722 million, only $288 million has been contributed, leaving a gap of $434 million in unmet requirements.  On the political front, efforts are being made to finalize the details of the Naivasha peace agreement reached between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in June 2004.  In the meantime, negotiations are currently under way between the Government of the Sudan and the Darfur opposition to find a political solution to the conflict that has erupted in western Sudan.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHANY, tel.: 917 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.: 41 22 917 2653, mobile 41(0) 79 473 4570.

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