Aid worker killed in Sudan’s North Darfur
July 13, 2006 (NAIROBI) — A relief worker with the U.S.-based global humanitarian organization, Relief International (RI),has been killed in Sudan’s Darfur region as a result of an armed attack on the agency’s vehicle.
In a statement received here Thursday, the aid agency said Hassan Ahmad Idris, a Sudanese, one of the two national staff who, along with a driver, were on a regular field mission in the state of North Darfur when their vehicle was stopped by armed robbers.
Idris, 23, was shot on Wednesday by the assailants and died immediately. One of the robbers has been arrested and is in police custody, said the aid agency.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Hassan Idris was a dedicated humanitarian and a hardworking staff member who was greatly loved and respected by all his colleagues,” said Farshad Rastegar, chief executive officer of Relief International.
“As a key member of RI’s livelihoods program, he was instrumental in helping displaced Darfurians in the most remote areas regain access to food and economic security,” Rastegar added.
With more than 100 staff members working in Darfur, Relief International is a major provider of primary health, reproductive health, food security, livelihoods and protection services in Darfur to over 350,000 vulnerable and displaced civilians.
The aid agency said it has temporarily suspended operations in the Kebkabiya region where the incident took place while it reviews the security conditions in the area.
“Relief International is continuing programs in other regions and remains committed to delivering essential humanitarian services in Darfur to assist civilians who have been affected by the conflict,” it said.
The Relief International is the second humanitarian agency to partially suspend its activities in the strife-torn North Darfur.
On Monday, British charity, Oxfam International, temporary closed two of its offices in Sudan’s North Darfur due to the increasing insecurity, which led to abduction of its employee in the troubled region.
Oxfam said insecurity is impeding aid operation in the strife torn region of Darfur where thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced.
(Xinhua/ST)