26 November 2008 -- After Nyala and El Fasher yesterday, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs & Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. John Holmes, has today visited the Darfur towns of Geneina and Zalingei as the final leg of his Darfur tour.

Mr. Holmes has been assessing the humanitarian and security situation in the region and has been interacting with the UNAMID leadership, the humanitarian community, as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the camps.

He pointed out the difficulties imposed on the humanitarian effort by the increasing insecurity in the region, particularly incidents of car-jacking. This situation has led to a reduction in food rations provided to Darfur IDP’s and has also forced the humanitarian community to reduce activities in certain areas or leave others all-together.

Mr. Holmes will be proceeding to Southern Sudan on Thursday, 27 November, to complete his six-day tour of the country.