Khartoum: The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian and Development Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, emphasized that the resumption of UN operations from their offices in Khartoum represents a significant step in supporting the Sudanese people affected by the war and in strengthening humanitarian and development responses across the country.
According to Sudan News Agency, Brown spoke at the inauguration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Khartoum, which is part of the reopening of the UN House facilities housing multiple UN agencies. Brown noted that her return to the capital comes after three years of absence during which the city endured attacks. She shared that she had listened to the stories of many women displaced from Khartoum, as well as accounts from her Sudanese UN colleagues and members of the diplomatic community, describing that period as a 'horrible time.'
Brown added that the return of citizens to Khartoum reflects Sudanese people's deep attachment to their homeland, emphasizing that 'home is very special, and a person has only one homeland,' and stressed that the UN is accompanying Sudanese citizens in this return.
She explained that the UN's current mission in Sudan focuses on assisting those affected by the war across the country, which requires a strong field presence in multiple regions. Operating from Khartoum facilitates access to several states, including Northern State, White Nile State, and North and South Kordofan.
Brown also referenced her recent visit to Al-Dalang in South Kordofan, where she witnessed the severe living conditions under siege, affirming the UN's continued commitment to supporting Sudanese citizens wherever they are in the country.
She expressed gratitude to the Wali (Governor) of Khartoum State for his support and cooperation with the UN, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government bodies that facilitated the organization's return to its offices in the capital.
Brown confirmed that the day marks her first official working day from Khartoum as her base, reiterating the UN's commitment to working alongside the Sudanese people to mitigate the effects of the war and support recovery and stability efforts.