Statement of Mr. Ali Al-Za'tari, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, on humanitarian corridor between Sudan and South Sudan

KHARTOUM, Sudan, August 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations welcomes the approval last week by representatives of the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan of an operational plan that will open a humanitarian corridor between Sudan and South Sudan. Developed and prepared by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the plan will enable WFP to deliver close to 63,000 metric tonnes of life-saving food assistance to 744,000 people in the northern parts of South Sudan who have been affected by the conflict in South Sudan since December 2013.

The approval of this Plan puts the United Nations in a better position to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected and vulnerable people in South Sudan, especially those in the states of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile, which all share a border with Sudan. It also confirms that cooperation between the two governments leads to better welfare of the people.

The United Nations and its funds, agencies and programmes commend the efforts of the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan in approving this Plan, look forward to its implementation and reiterate their readiness in responding to the needs of those affected by the conflict.