Two Sudanese aid workers killed in West Darfur
November 29, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Two Sudanese health workers are killed in West Darfur state while they were participating in a nationwide measles vaccination campaign launched this week.
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, Ali Al-Za’tari, issued a statement on Friday morning to condemn the killing of the two workers.
Al-Za’tari “strongly condemns the killing of two Sudanese Ministry of Health staff, a vaccinator and a driver”, reads a statement released by his office.
The humanitarian coordifnator did not elaborate on the conditions of their death but called “on all parties” to protect the aid workers throughout the country .
The region besides fighting between the rebels and the regular army and militiamen, is now the scene of tribal clashes. Also, armed gangs used to attack commercial convoys, UNAMID and UN agencies vehicles.
The growing insecurity conditions in Darfur region pushed international aid groups to hire Sudanese nationals.
OCHA Sudan said last week that 97% of aid workers in Darfur region are Sudanese. Only 3% are international staff.
Ten years after the start of the insurgency and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, there are some 6,600 aid workers providing services to the displaced and vulnerable people.
International aid groups employ the majority of aid workers, 4,862 people (94%). The rest are working with UN agencies or international organisations.
(ST)