Sudan: ICRC confirms its willingness to expand activities in Sudan

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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." For further information, please contact: Aleksandra Matijevic Mosimann, ICRC Khartoum, tel: +249 1 83 476 464 or +249 912 170 576 Adil Sharif (for Arabic), ICRC Khartoum, tel: +249 91 213 77 64 Marie-Servane Desjonquères, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 536 92 58