Oxfam welcomes UNSC Presidential Statement on Sudan/South Sudan

Oxfam welcomes today’s clear and unified call from the UN Security Council for an end to cross border violence between Sudan and South Sudan, a Cessation of Hostilities in Sudan’s Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states, and for the parties to the conflict to allow immediate and unhindered safe humanitarian access to conflict-affected civilians in need.

“Today’s Presidential Statement is a major step forward and should galvanize a new phase of consensual, coordinated and unified international efforts to help solve the humanitarian crisis unfolding in South Sudan and Sudan today.  Tens of thousands of people have already been displaced into South Sudan and Ethiopia by the violence and many thousands more have been internally displaced within Sudan.

“For the sake of their people, the two countries must urgently resolve the outstanding issues, and commit to a genuine ceasefire.  The international community must remind Sudan and South Sudan that despite their separation they will continue to rely on each other. We also need to see immediate freedom of movement for civilians out of conflict areas.” Surendrini Wijeyaratne a Humanitarian Policy Advisor with Oxfam International, said.

“However, while we welcome this important statement, it is regrettable that it took 8 months for the Council to recognize the severity of the situation in the area. When lives are at stake, timely and appropriate action is vital in helping to prevent crises from worsening,” she said.