‘Deteriorating climate’ between aid community, Darfur authorities

The top United Nations aid official in Sudan expressed “deep concern over the deteriorating climate of confidence between the humanitarian community and local authorities in Darfur,” his office said in a press release. His remarks relate to the Kalma Camp blockade as well as expulsions of top foreign aid officials in West Darfur.

Georg Charpentier, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, stated yesterday that his latest comment comes “in light of recent verbal intimations addressed to UN agency staff to leave West Darfur state and the country.” He stressed that his agency, UN-OCHA, has as its goal to assist people in need, in support of government-led efforts and priorities. Charpentier was referring to the expulsion orders given to four UN agency officials and one official of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Sudanese newspapers, quoting West Darfur’s humanitarian aid commissioner, justified the expulsions on the basis that the officials had delivered “rape-detection devices,” employed rape researchers, collected signatures for a petition, and visited rebel-controlled areas.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator appealed for “a spirit of calm and engagement,” and mentioned legal agreements between UN agencies and the government of Sudan. He also announced that he will visit Darfur to address issues at the state level.

Photo Credit: UN OCHA