KENYA: Aid agencies angry at Sudan's decision to expel them

Record ID: 343749

  • Title: KENYA: Aid agencies angry at Sudan's decision to expel them
  • Date: 10th March 2009
  • Summary: AKUEM, SOUTHERN SUDAN (SEPTEMBER 11, 2005) (12125/05) (REUTERS) MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF) HEALTH CENTRE SIGN BOARD PATIENTS, WOMEN WITH BABIES SEATED WAITING TO BE ATTENDED OLD MEN WAITING TO BE SEEN BY MSF DOCTORS SUDANESE MSF NURSE ASSISTANTS SURROUNDED BY PATIENTS BABY CRYING AFTER BEING INJECTED
  • Embargoed: 25th March 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVAF1I16Z0KA7YTN31V90WFQZ6X6
  • Story Text: Another half million in Darfur at risk of death and disease, say aid agencies, after they are thrown out of Sudan.
    The Sudanese government has banned 13 aid organisations from large parts of Darfur.
    The decision has been condemned by one of the largest groups concerned, Medicins Sans Frontieres, which says it could cost Sudan's most vulnerable region up to 60 per cent of aid.
    The Sudanese government's move came after the International Criminal Court charged President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with war crimes in Darfur.
    Hans Van de Weerd, General Director of MSF Holland, told a news conference in Nairobi on Monday (March 9), the government of Sudan had been raising obstacles for humanitarian activities for some time.
    The expulsion of the agencies sparked a wave of criticism from the United Nations, Western countries and leaders from the ruling party in Sudan's semi-autonomous south, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
    Van de Weerd said it was possible expelling the agencies was a publicity stunt, although assets were being liquidated and computers stripped.
    If they were allowed back in the country tomorrow it would take some considerable time to get things up and running again.
    Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir threatened on Sunday to expel diplomats and more aid groups, on suspicion that they were clandestinely working for the Hague-based ICC a claim strongly refuted.
    MSF said its expulsion would expose over 450,000 Darfurians to disease and death. It was treating 150,000 patients, 10,000 pregnant women and 2,000 malnourished children in Kalma, Feina and Mihajiriya camps in Darfur.
    Aid officials have warned the expulsions will hit other turbulent areas of northern Sudan, particularly in areas along the contested border with the country' semi-autonomous south.
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