Sudan extends moratorium on humanitarian action in Darfur

November 18, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has renewed the authorization for the humanitarian organisations working in Darfur for one more year. This extension aims at enabling aid workers to continue to carry their activities in the troubled western Sudan region.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Haroun Lual Ron Deng, extended on Monday 17 November the Moratorium facilitating humanitarian aid to Darfur until the 31 January 2010.

The moratorium of 3 July 2004 removes any obstacles to humanitarian work, including suspension of visa restrictions for all humanitarian workers and permitting freedom of movement for aid workers throughout Darfur, and suspension of all restrictions for the importation and use of all humanitarian assistance materials, transport vehicles, aircraft and communication equipment.”

It also permits immediate temporary NGO registration through a simple notification process that OCHA will offer to manage on behalf of NGOs; permanent registration shall be processed within 90 days.

In a press statement issued today, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Ms. Ameerah Haq, appreciated renewing of the fast track, saying that the UN welcomes the extension.
“This should further enhance the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance for up to 4.7 million conflict affected people as well as enabling humanitarian organizations to operate in Darfur,” said the statement.

On 20 February 2006, Members of Parliament passed the ‘Organisation of Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act, 2006’, which will replace the Humanitarian Aid Commission Act. The enactment of this Act will impose undue restrictions on the work of NGOs operating throughout Sudan.

It grants discretionary and excessive regulatory power to the Government over the operations of NGOs and some provisions violate the right to freedom of association contained in international human rights treaties, to which Sudan is a party, as well as Sudan’s Interim National Constitution. However, the President has not signed this law into effect.

The moratorium is only valid for Darfur region and does not include other areas of Sudan.

(ST)