Khartoum/Geneva (ICRC) – The director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Yves Daccord, has concluded a five-day official visit to Sudan, where he exchanged views on the humanitarian situation in the areas affected by armed conflict, namely Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan, and discussed the ICRC's offer to bring aid to all affected, including detainees.
"I am pleased with the extensive talks I had with the Sudanese government regarding the ICRC's humanitarian concerns," said Mr Daccord at the end of his first visit to Sudan since taking up his current duties in July 2010. "I am hopeful that in the near future we will be able to expand our activities in the affected regions in accordance with our mandate under international humanitarian law and with the principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality."
Mr Daccord met with several government officials, including Amira al Fadhil, the minister of welfare and social security, and Mansour Yousif al Ajab, the State minister for foreign affairs.
The ICRC director-general also held discussions with senior representatives of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, the ICRC's primary operational partner in Sudan.
"I attach great importance to our long-lasting cooperation with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society," said Mr Daccord. "This partnership has enabled us to jointly deliver emergency aid in areas where armed confrontations have occurred and to restore contact between family members separated from one another."