STORY: Sudan voices commitment to coordinating with UN to ensure aid delivery
SHOOTING DATE: March 7, 2024
DATELINE: March 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:53
LOCATION: Khartoum
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SALAH MUBARAK YOUSIF, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner
3. various of the meeting
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): SALAH MUBARAK YOUSIF, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner

STORYLINE:

Sudan on Thursday voiced commitment to continuing coordination with the United Nations (UN) to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the ongoing war, said Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council in a statement.
   
The statement came after Sudan's Joint National Committee for Humanitarian Emergencies held a regular meeting in Port Sudan, the capital city of the eastern Red Sea State.
   
The meeting discussed the implementation of the decision related to opening the western border crossing with Chad, South Sudan crossing via Kosti city, and Ashkit and Arqin border crossings in northern Sudan, the statement noted.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SALAH MUBARAK YOUSIF, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner
"The committee met to discuss the necessary arrangements for implementing the decision relating to opening the humanitarian corridors internally and externally."

In addition, the meeting stressed the need to ensure that the aid entering Sudan does not include any things that harm the Sudanese national security, the statement said.
   
On Wednesday, the Sudanese government said it had allowed the humanitarian aid to enter through new border crossings, including one with Chad.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): SALAH MUBARAK YOUSIF, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner
"The meeting stressed the need to ensure that the aid entering Sudan does not include any things or materials that harm the interest of Sudanese national security."

According to the UN, half of Sudan's population -- some 25 million people -- need humanitarian assistance and protection, with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.
   
Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023.

More than 13,000 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, according to recent estimates released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Khartoum.
(XHTV)