Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Discusses Water Sector Support with UNICEF

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Professor Ismat Qureshi Abdullah, met with the UNICEF Country Director in Sudan, Yves Shelton, on Tuesday at the Ministry headquarters to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the Ministry and UNICEF in supporting the water sector. This includes providing clean water to citizens, rehabilitating and maintaining drinking water infrastructure, and supporting post-war stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction efforts.

The Minister stated that the water sector is among the most affected by the systematic destruction perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. He emphasized the critical importance of supporting the provision of clean water and rehabilitating drinking water infrastructure, considering them fundamental to social stability and development.

The Minister affirmed the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation’s commitment to prioritizing the water sector within reconstruction programs, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with international organizations, particularly UNICEF, to support national plans aimed at rebuilding the sector and enhancing its capacity to respond to humanitarian and development needs. He noted the necessity of close coordination between the Ministry and UNICEF to ensure that support is directed according to actual priorities, contributing to sustainable recovery and serving affected communities.

For his part, UNICEF Country Director Yves Shelton affirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the water sector in Sudan and expressed his gratitude to the Minister, indicating UNICEF’s readiness to contribute to efforts to provide clean water and support stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction programs, in full coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and relevant stakeholders.