Security “key” to aid

The European Commission has approved euro 15 million (US $14.1 million) to maintain delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudan. A statement posted on 15 January by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) said the assistance would aim to reduce morality rates among the most vulnerable sections of the population and to promote increased self-reliance in the war-affected society. It said that the country was entering its eighteenth year of civil war. “Administrative structures have all but collapsed in the South and there are large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) in both government and rebel-held areas.” The aid would be directed through ECHO and would focus on health, water/sanitation, food security, non-food relief and logistical support both in government-controlled and rebel-held areas.

According to the statement, “the security situation in Sudan remained highly volatile, jeopardising the safety of relief workers.” The ability to obtain access to affected populations and security considerations would be key to the success of future proposed interventions, ECHO said.