Statement by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Mr. Georg Charpentier on kidnappings in Darfur
Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan
Statement by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Mr. Georg Charpentier on kidnappings in Darfur
16 January 2011
Khartoum, 16 January 2011. On Thursday 13 January, three helicopter crew members of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) were kidnapped by armed men while on a routine mission in West Darfur. The three UNHAS personnel were transporting humanitarian workers to a remote area in West Darfur where assistance is most needed.
The Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Georg Charpentier, expressed his deep concern for the safety of the WFP-UNHAS crew and called upon the Government of Sudan and state authorities to do all possible to secure the immediate and safe release of the humanitarian colleagues who were abducted and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Mr. Charpentier also called on all sides to refrain from acts of violence against humanitarian aid workers and reiterated his commitment to work with national and state authorities to promote a safer environment for civilians and humanitarian personnel in Darfur.
The thoughts of the Humanitarian Country Team in Sudan are with the family and friends of the UNHAS colleagues at this time.