Masked gang plunder NGO’s office in South Darfur

Six masked gunmen reportedly robbed the office of the American Refugee Committee (ARC) in the vicinity of the airport of Nyala, capital of South Darfur, at 2am on Saturday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the gang forced two guards to open the doors of the building at gunpoint. The gang then allegedly stole all of the international charity group’s computers, laptops, electronic equipment, and whatever else they could find of value. “The robbers also tried to open the NGO’s treasury safe, even moving it out of the building, but they finally left it behind.” The ARC has reportedly formed an ad hoc committee to inventory the stolen items and a police file has been opened for security services to investigate the incident. Note: According to the NGO’s website: “In late 2004, ARC deployed a team of humanitarian workers to Sudan to set up operations in the troubled region. The team began by delivering assistance to communities in the [Girayda] corridor of South Darfur. ARC repaired and reopened primary health clinics and provided medical treatment to people who left everything in search of safety. ARC also established a mobile health clinic to serve remote communities that would not otherwise receive medical care. “Currently, ARC runs 16 primary health clinics, repairs or builds one water yard and one new well per month, and assists farmers with seeds, tools, training, care of livestock, and development of community gardens.” File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMID Related: Medical NGO workers’ salaries stolen in Central Darfur (30 July 2013)