The U.N.'s senior operational coordinator for humanitarian assistance briefed the Security Council on Tuesday on the unfolding travesty in Sudan's southern states: South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Due to the Sudanese government's intransigent refusal to allow humanitarian aid access to the two areas, the 230,000 civilians displaced within Blue Nile and 450,000 displaced in South Kordofan are suffering almost famine like conditions. With no other options, every day, scores are packing their lives on their backs and seeking safety across the border. Today, more than 204,000 refugees from the Two Areas live in bursting refugee camps. When malnourished refugees reach camps in South Sudan, they report walking for weeks and surviving on roots and leaves.
International aid agencies have gathered the necessary supplies, pre-positioned them at the border, and are ready to provide assistance to the almost one million Sudanese who have been displaced from their homes as a result of the crisis in the Two Areas. Time and time again, they have been denied access to the regions that are most in need. Last summer, the U.N., African Union, and Arab League's hard fought tripartite agreement on humanitarian access to the areas expired without implementation. While both the government of Sudan and the rebels engage in With unusual ... So far we have failed, [...] we don't need more process but more access, and we need it urgently and desperately ...