SUDAN: TALKING POINTS FOR MARCH 6 OCHA

UNCLAS STATE 021422

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM SU XA XW
SUBJECT: SUDAN: TALKING POINTS FOR MARCH 6 OCHA
BRIEFING


1. USUN may draw from the following talking
points
for their March 6 briefing in the Security Council
by
Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs
John
Holmes.

Begin talking points:

-- The United States condemns the decision by the
Government of Sudan to expel from its borders 13
foreign based NGOs and completely dissolve 3 local
NGOs. Together these NGOs provide approximately 70%
of the humanitarian aid being delivered in Darfur.

-- The Government of Sudan's reckless decision has
endangered 4.7 million of their own citizens and
flouts numerous resolutions of this Council.
Although thus far, these actions have only affected
assistance to Darfur, we are deeply concerned about
the possible impact they could have on the critical
aid being provided
throughout the rest of Sudan, especially the South
and Three Areas. These NGOs have decades of
experience assisting the Sudanese people. Their
work keeps people alive, and their forced departure
immediately and seriously threatens the lives and
well-being of millions of people. The United
States fully supports their work and strongly backs
their ability to continue their life-saving efforts
unobstructed.

-- Over the last two days the United States
Government has reached out to the Government of
Sudan in Khartoum, Washington, and New York to urge
it to reconsider these expulsions. I know the
United Nations and many other concerned members
states have reached out to the Government of Sudan
as well. Unfortunately, the Government of Sudan
has chosen not to listen. We call on all states,
especially those in this body and others that have
influence with top Sudanese officials, to press the
GOS to reverse this decision.

-- The UN and other humanitarian agencies that
remain in Darfur are simply not capable of filling
the void left by these NGOs, as they are already
stretched to capacity.

-- The international community must make it
crystal-clear to the Sudanese government that it
will be held
accountable for the humanitarian consequences of
its
decision to expel these NGOS.

-- Regarding an Article 16 deferral, the United
States has made its position perfectly clear. We
do not support it.

--These most recent actions of the GOS only worsen
the situation.

Questions for Holmes:

-- Does the UN have contingency planning to meet
the void left by the departing NGOs?
-- What kind of programs will the UN not be able to
replace due to the NGO expulsions? Is there a
system of prioritizing assistance?
-- What kind of support will you need from the
international community? Do you have available
emergency funding to cover expanded operations? Do
you need an emergency funding appeal?

End talking points.
CLINTON