Sudan - On 4 May, Sudan’s Federal Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) signed a renewed Protocol of Cooperation to strengthen their collaboration on IOM’s humanitarian work plan 2017-2018 at both federal and state levels.

The Protocol commits to improving the welfare of and assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and affected populations in communities across Sudan through information collection and assistance, as well as to supporting the technical capacities of HAC in the field of human mobility within Sudan (including monitoring of migrants’ inflow to Sudan for the provision of humanitarian assistance).

“We are trying to achieve the same goals and we should build on having transparent cooperation that serves internally displaced people and returnees, who are of utmost concern to the Government of Sudan today,” said HAC General Commissioner Ahmed Mohammed Adam.

IOM Sudan Chief of Mission Mario Lito Malanca expressed his appreciation for the continued commitment of the Government of Sudan to addressing human mobility challenges in the country, as well as to providing the assistance needed.

On 13 October 1998, the Government of Sudan and IOM established a general framework for cooperation between both entities in Sudan. After IOM joined the United Nations last year, the Protocol of Cooperation needed to be renewed.

The Protocol recognizes IOM’s Council Resolution No. 1310, adopted by Member States at the 106th Session of the Council on 24 November 2015, regarding ‘Migration Governance Framework’. It aims to improve IOM’s contribution to effective, responsible migration governance and supports the development and implementation of migration-related policy that maximizes migration’s benefits. The protocol also focuses on enhancing the humane and orderly management of migration; supporting efforts to address irregular migration and root causes; and providing research, analysis and expert advice.

The Protocol acknowledges the leading role of HAC/National IDP Centre in the framework of the Return, Reintegration and Early Recovery (RRR) Sector. Emphasis is on providing support for the voluntary return and reintegration of IDPs and returnees in Sudan (from areas of displacement to their places of origin and/or to areas of resettlement) or their voluntary reintegration in the host communities, in accordance with the 2009 National Policy for IDPs.

For further information, please contact Dalia Elroubi at IOM Sudan, Tel: +249 156 554 Ext 600/1, Email: delroubi@iom.int.