World Vision May Resume South Darfur Operations Next Week
World Vision May Resume Operations Next Week
10 July -- World Vision operations in Nyala may be reopened in a week’s time if security improves significantly. Representatives from World Vision, together with other NGOs including Mercy Corps, Oxfam and CARE, will meet next Thursday (18 July) to assess the situation.
World Vision’s programmes remain suspended following the violence that broke out last Thursday (4 July), killing two staff members and injuring three others. A grenade exploded in the organization’s compound near Nyala, the provincial capital. It was the worst single incident of violence against World Vision’s employees since 2010, when eight staff were killed in an attack Pakistan.
The office was also looted and an assessment is being conducted to determine the extent of property damage. The question of whether to relocate the World Vision office and guest house is also under discussion; the final decision will be made once a thorough risk assessment is concluded.
“We are acutely aware of the suffering children and families dependent on our emergency and early recovery programs are facing and will want to lift the suspensions on programs as soon as possible. It will also be an honor to our fallen colleagues, Ali and Sabil, if we continue with the work that they paid the ultimate sacrifice for,” said Simon Nyabwengi, World Vision’s Sudan National Director.
He also appealed to the groups in the conflict to resolve their issues without resorting to violence and to commit to protecting humanitarian workers and assets.
Mr Nyabwengi thanked the United Nations, the international humanitarian community and World Vision offices globally for their support and messages of condolences.
“The support and prayers have been a source of encouragement and strengthened our resolve to continue the important work of ensuring child well-being in Sudan,” Mr Nyabwengi said.
Discussions were also held with the World Food Programme on the resumption of feeding programmes in the South Darfur. World Vision is WFP’s main partner in food distribution, and the suspension of operations means more than 300,000 internally displaced people do not have food aid, including those in the Otash, Derege, Mosey, Sakelly, Al Salaam Kalma and Kass camps.
“Due to the fact that food is already on the ground in some camps while it is raining, and it is the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the crisis has adversely affected the food assistance operations,” said Geoffrey Kimaiyo, World Vision’s Food Assistance Manager. “If the distribution activities do not resume as soon as possible, women and children are likely to suffer due to limited availability and access to food, especially during this period of fasting. In addition, the food on the ground may be exposed to risk of damage.”
For further information please contact:
Brenda Asiko,
Communications Manager, Sudan (Based in Nairobi)
World Vision International
+254-722-985-306; +254-733-600 688; (Cell)
Email: brenda_asiko@wvi.org Skype: brendasiko
Michael Arunga,
Emergency Communications Advisor - Africa,
World Vision International
+254-737-700302 (cell)
Email: Michael_arunga@wvi.org Skype: michael_arunga
Simon Nyabwengi
Country Program Director
World Vision Sudan
Telephone: +249 91 215 5667 (Cell)
Email: Simon_Nyabwengi@wvi.org
Skype: symon.nyabwengi