World Vision Resumes Limited Operations in South Darfur IDP Camps

15 July -- World Vision has resumed its operations and is serving nearly 100,000 families in four IDP (internally displaced people) camps in South Darfur.

“We are happy that we have been able to resume essential services to the camps and provide food to 96,000 families. Services to other areas currently not covered will begin once we have re-established the office in Nyala,” said Simon Nyabwengi, World Vision’s National Director for Sudan.

Those essential services include health care, water and food distribution, all of which resumed today (15 July) in four camps: Otash, Dereige, Sakely and Mosey. In addition, the organization has requested that the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) deliver food, water and health care supplies to the Kass camp, so that World Vision staff can distribute them to IDPs there.

Mr Nyabwengi said he hopes additional work can resume later this week or next in other locations in South Darfur:  Mershing, Nitega, Edd Al Fursan and Rehed Al Birdi.  Other humanitarian agencies, such as Oxfam, CARE and Norwegian Church Aid, may begin working in those communities again.  The suspension of operations occurred on 4 July after two World Vision staff were killed when a grenade exploded in the organisation’s compound in Nyala, the provincial capital.

The compound remains closed and a final decision on whether to reopen the facility will be made following a comprehensive review by World Vision corporate security staff.  In the meantime, employees are using the local offices of OCHA, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Security in Nyala and other areas is no longer predictable, according to Nhamo Ndebele, Operations Manager, South Darfur, as evidenced by the deaths of seven UN soldiers Sunday between Khor Abashe and Manawashe, about 90 kilometers from Nyala.  In addition 17 others reportedly were injured in the attack by armed groups.   As a result, World Vision staff in Khor Abashe have been advised to limit their movement in the area.

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