Port Sudan: The Humanitarian Aid Commissioner (HAC) Salwa Adam Biniya has affirmed the Sudanese government’s commitment since the Jeddah Forum to open routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. She revealed the opening of 12 sea, air, and land crossings, noting that the Adre and Tina crossings have been extended for three months.
According to Sudan News Agency, she confirmed that Al-Teena crossing is open and has been used for five states in Darfur. She expressed her regret for the failure to deliver aid to those in need in North Darfur State and all its localities. She noted the existence of two crossings from the northern side, Argeen and Ashkeit, from Egypt.
HAC Commissioner stated that Port Sudan has two crossings, one by sea and one by air, that have not been exploited. She added that the Renk-Joda crossing, by land and river, has also not been exploited.
She stated that organizations have the right to bring in food, while bringing in staff is a separate procedure through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant authorities.
Salwa Adam Biniya confirmed, during the 26th briefing conference of the Ministry of Culture and Information, organized by the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), which hosted the Transitional Sovereignty Council’s (TSC) advisory on humanitarian affairs on Tuesday, to discuss the general guidelines for humanitarian aid in the country. The meeting was held in the conference hall of the TSC Secretary-General in Port Sudan. Salwa Adam Biniya emphasized that the crossings are sufficient for the entry of food, and that the government is keen to open other crossings if necessary.
She noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commission issue permits weekly without objection.
HAC Commissioner revealed the lack of support from organizations and the increase in requests for staff entry, which is detrimental to the project.
She noted that requests are issued within 48 hours despite the limited staff available due to the wartime conditions in the country.
HAC Commissioner indicated that the Commission has established controls to regulate the aid provided by organizations to citizens, noting some irregularities in drivers’ changes or changes in their destinations for aid deliveries.
She stated that permissions to travel to safe areas are the responsibility of the state, emphasizing that teams move to safe areas through the army. In the event of a change in destination, the permit is issued to protect humanitarian workers and facilitate procedures. Salwa Adam Benya revealed that the routes being exploited are Adre, through which trucks enter from Chad, and that there have been no objections to their entry, even to Al-Fula in West Kordofan, to deliver aid, whereas North Darfur is being denied access to El-Fashir, as aid organizations are not allowed.
She called for food to reach any citizen under government or militia control, pointing to drops of aid in areas controlled by Al-Hilu. She refuted the objections of some parties accusing the government of obstructing aid, saying this is false.
She called for the delivery of aid to Zamzam, stating that the Sudanese government has prepared aid while awaiting access to El-Fashir, its localities, camps, in addition to Dilling in South Kordofan, which has been under siege for three years and has not received any food despite the presence of aid organizations.