Port Sudan, March 14(Darfur 24)
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan confirmed on Thursday that both parties to the conflict are obstructing humanitarian access to affected people by imposing restrictions, refusing visas to aid workers, and using bureaucratic procedures.
In a statement seen by Darfur 24, the office said that active fighting, bureaucratic obstacles, and travel restrictions have exacerbated the humanitarian situation in large areas of the country.
The statement explained that some humanitarian partners have suspended their operations in Zamzam camp due to armed activity on the roads leading to the camp and the ongoing siege of El Fasher.
The statement revealed that the government in Port Sudan has refused to grant visas to a number of aid workers, causing a significant backlog and making it difficult for organizations to increase and rotate staff.
According to the statement, in Gedaref and Kassala states, operational interference by state authorities has restricted humanitarian operations.
Reported instances of interference included exorbitant financial demands for recruitment fees, which increased the financial burden on partners, delays in signing technical agreements, denial of travel permits, unclear lines of engagement, and interference in prioritization and beneficiary targeting, all of which contributed to the slow response, according to the statement.
The statement added “over the course of one month, of the 113 reported visa applications submitted by international NGOs, only 66 were approved and 10 were rejected, with 68 percent of unapproved applications pending for more than four weeks.”
It added, “Multiple-entry visa applications, including for senior staff, were rejected despite single-entry approvals. Two UN agencies reported 20 pending applications, 10 of which were pending for more than a month.”
The number of single-entry visas granted monthly is approximately half of the number of visas requested, according to the statement.
The statement pointed out that the Sudanese Relief Agency, affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces, imposed travel restrictions on humanitarian organizations that had not signed a cooperation agreement, causing significant delays in the delivery of essential life-saving supplies to Darfur.
It continued, “Although the restrictions were lifted by April, the agency continues to interfere with humanitarian operations, limiting the access of supplies to areas outside the control of the Rapid Support Forces.”
It stated that dealing with the agency has become an increasing challenge, further shrinking the humanitarian space in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.
It stated the inaccessibility of the two main bridges linking Zalingei, El Geneina, and Adre, noting concerns that many areas in Darfur will be cut off during the upcoming rainy season. He explained that access to Central and South Darfur will only be possible through long crossings or alternative solutions to cross flooded valleys.