17 November 2009 - As part of a 10-day tour to gain a first-hand view of the situation in Sudan, the UN SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, visited the North Darfur city of El Fasher.

Today’s field visit included meetings with the Wali of North Darfur and the Ministry of Social Welfare, dialogue with civil society groups, religious leaders, and the local Humanitarian Aid Commission, as well as a briefing with senior staff of UNAMID.

The Special Representative stated that “my role is to serve as an independent voice, moral voice for children by responding to and preventing grave violations against them”.
She noted that the situation had markedly improved from her previous visit to the region two years ago.
Ms. Coomaraswamy will continue her visit to Darfur tomorrow.