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Security Council members press parties in Sudan to renew ceasefire
11 August -- Members of the United Nations Security Council today called on the parties to the conflict in the Sudan to resume their humanitarian ceasefire and allow the UN access to all civilians in need.

 Speaking to the press on behalf of Council members, Council President Agam Hasmy of Malaysia expressed their concern over the recent and repeated aerial bombings around UN and other civilian humanitarian operations. Those operations were temporarily suspended on Tuesday in response to the violence.

 Council members stressed the importance of the Sudanese Government's assurances that the bombings would not recur, and urged it to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian operations. The Government was also urged to allow UN and non-governmental organizations "full, safe, and unhindered access to vulnerable civilians in need of humanitarian assistance."

 Ambassador Hasmy's statement followed a closed-door briefing on the Sudan, and he told reporters that the Council had requested further briefings "until it is clear that the UN and other humanitarian operations have been able to resume their activities in the Sudan, unhindered."

 In his briefing to the Council, Kevin Kennedy, Chief of the Emergency Liaison Branch of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, warned that if the suspension of aid remains in place for long, the impact will be life-threatening. "Easily a million people will be at risk," he said.

 Affecting both Government and rebel-held areas, the suspension comes at a critical time for agricultural and health programmes. "Malaria and diarrhoeal diseases are rampant, particularly among children, and drug stocks need to be replenished on a regular basis," Mr. Kennedy said.

 At a press conference following the briefing, Mr. Kennedy was asked who was responsible for the bombings. "The aerial bombing is being carried out by planes belonging to the Government of Sudan," he replied, adding, "To our knowledge, the rebels have no air force."

 According to Mr. Kennedy, humanitarian relief operations in the Sudan "continue to be among the most difficult, expensive and dangerous operations of their kind in the world." He noted that this year alone, two relief workers have been killed, three wounded and numerous others taken hostage. "While these tragic events pale in comparison to the toll taken