ReliefWeb

Media Advisory

WHAT: Mission to Europe

WHEN: 17-23 September 2013

WHERE: Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Toby Lanzer is scheduled to travel to Sweden on 16 September, Norway on 17 September, the Netherlands on 18 September, Belgium on 19 September and the United Kingdom from 20-23 September.

Mr. Lanzer’s mission aims to draw attention to the humanitarian challenges in South Sudan and mobilize support for humanitarian action in the country. He will also discuss long-term development prospects for the world’s newest nation.

In the two years since gaining its independence, South Sudan has experienced relative peace and stability and the country’s development prospects are promising. While the magnitude of humanitarian needs remains significant, the mid-year review of the 2013 Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal for South Sudan showed stabilization in some areas and improvements in others. The number of people who are food insecure has dropped from 4.6 million in November 2012 to 4.1 million at mid-2013, and there are fewer Sudanese refugees crossing the border. However, hostilities in Jonglei State have uprooted tens of thousands of people and destroyed livelihoods, threatening to undermine positive developments in the country.

During his visits to the European capitals, Mr. Lanzer will discuss the above issues with government departments, including ministries of Foreign, International Development and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the European Commission and key NGO partners.

To set up interviews with Mr. Lanzer, please contact: Tapiwa Gomo, OCHA South Sudan, gomo@un.org, +47 2413 7828, ext 1060, +211 (0) 922406079 (Cell)

OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan
Facebook: UNOCHA South Sudan | Twitter @OCHASouthSudan

The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan can be followed on twitter.com/tobylanzer or @tobylanzer