Antalya: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Ali Youssef, met with the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr. Jagan Chapagain, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, being held in the Turkish city of Antalya during April 11-13.
According to Sudan News Agency, the meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between the Government of Sudan and the IFRC to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in its humanitarian response to the country’s emergency situations. The Minister affirmed Sudan’s commitment to facilitating humanitarian efforts and ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers, acknowledging the SRCS’s crucial role in reaching affected communities across 16 states and 46 localities, aiding over 1.3 million people thus far.
The Minister commended the IFRC’s work in launching the emergency appeal to support SRCS operations and expressed Sudan’s aspiration to finalize the host country agreement in coordination with the IFRC Resident Representative in Sudan and relevant authorities. The discussion also covered transitioning from humanitarian response to early recovery and reconstruction, with an emphasis on creating conditions for the safe return of displaced persons and refugees, especially after regaining control over areas, including Khartoum.
The Minister highlighted the importance of investing in the rehabilitation of schools, health centers, and infrastructure to revitalize communities. In response, the IFRC Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the partnership with SRCS, reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to supporting humanitarian operations and diplomatic efforts to secure funding, noting that only 26% of the emergency appeal has been met.
Both parties emphasized the need for international solidarity and shared responsibility to tackle Sudan’s humanitarian challenges, reaffirming their commitment to close cooperation to aid affected individuals and ensure a sustainable humanitarian response.