17 February 2010 - UNAMID welcomed a visit from United States Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) at the Mission’s headquarters yesterday in El Fasher, North Darfur. He was accompanied by Military Escort Colonel Farris Hill, a USAID humanitarian advisor and a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Sudan.

The congressman met with UNAMID Chief of Staff Karen Tchalian, and heads of the Mission’s substantive divisions, Director of the Humanitarian Liaison Office, Daniel Augstburger, and Director of Communication and Public Information, Kemal Saiki; they briefed the delegation on the current political, humanitarian and security situation in the region. They also highlighted the Mission’s progress in Darfur, and pointed out the challenges and the complexities facing the Mission.

He emphasized that UNAMID was a major neutral force in the conflict, protecting civilians and facilitating the massive humanitarian operations carried out in the region.