Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Hassan Hamed, on Thursday met with Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and his assistants at the United Nations Office in Geneva. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen the humanitarian response and the existing partnership between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as mechanisms for enhancing coordination with relevant national authorities to facilitate and expedite humanitarian operations and address humanitarian needs. The Permanent Representative reviewed recent developments on the ground and the victories achieved by the Sudanese Armed Forces on various fronts, particularly in North Kordofan. He stressed that securing the Omdurman–Bara–El-Obeid export route has provided an important additional corridor for expediting humanitarian operations and reaching a number of areas. He also reaffirmed the Government of Sudan’s continued commitment to facilitating the movement of humanitarian assistance and workers. The meeting also addressed the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, including the new influx of refugees from Ethiopia into Sudan. Ambassador Hassan noted that, despite the ongoing war, Sudan remains one of the largest African host countries for refugees from neighboring countries and the wider region. He stressed the importance of supporting voluntary, safe and dignified returns and linking the humanitarian response to direct support for state-led efforts to provide basic services and promote stability and recovery in areas of return. For his part, Tom Fletcher expressed appreciation for the close relations of cooperation and partnership with the Government of Sudan, commending the cooperation extended to the UN leadership and its team in Sudan, headed by Ms. Denise Brown, the Secretary-General’s Resident Coordinator in Sudan. He affirmed that Sudan will remain a key priority on the agenda of OCHA. Fletcher also welcomed the continued opening of the Adre border crossing for humanitarian assistance, expressing appreciation for the decision by the Government of Sudan in this regard given the crossing’s significant importance in delivering life-saving aid. He affirmed the UN’s readiness to contribute to creating conditions that ensure the continued flow of humanitarian assistance while addressing related security concerns. The two sides, at the conclusion of the meeting, affirmed the importance of maintaining direct coordination, further strengthening the partnership between the Government of Sudan and the UN humanitarian system, and working jointly to ensure humanitarian access and support return, early recovery and stability in Sudan.BH/BH