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Aid agencies struggle in wake of Sudan expulsion
Written by: Emma Batha
Aid agencies in Sudan always knew there could be repercussions if an arrest warrant was issued for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. But even the most pessimistic wasn't expecting to be thrown out on the spot. So far 13 agencies have been told to shut up shop since the International Criminal Court indicted Bashir on Wednesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. "When you have some big political development like this there's sometimes some fallout. But we did not expect anything of this magnitude or anything this sweeping," said Joy Portella, spokeswoman for MercyCorps, which helps 200,000 people living in camps for those uprooted by the conflict in Darfur. "The consequences of this are not political consequences they are humanitarian consequences. We've just had to close up shop." Aid agencies say they are extremely worried for the millions of Sudanese they are leaving in the lurch who depend on them for day-to-day survival. And some aid workers fear that without international agencies on the ground, the warring parties could unleash further violence in Darfur. "We're very concerned that the witness effect that these organisations have on the ground will also disappear," said one aid worker who asked to remain anonymous. Kurt Tjossem of International Rescue Committee (IRC) said that because of "all the rumours and sabre-rattling" in the run-up to the ICC's decision they had pulled international staff out of Darfur and put in place contingency measures, but they had still been taken aback by the expulsions. "We anticipated just being out of Darfur for a couple of days ... we did not expect something this severe to happen, and I know that none of the other agencies did," added Tjossem, IRC's Regional Director for Horn and East Africa. IRC helps 650,000 people in Darfur and another 1.1 million people in North and East Sudan. He said IRC had prepositioned two weeks' worth of fuel for water pumps and a month of medical supplies for clinics so that local people in the camps could keep things running if the agency had to pull out. However, he said camp residents did not have the skills to provide more than the most basic medical care. Aid workers are particularly concerned about Kalma camp in southern Darfur, home to 90,000 people uprooted by the war. Both the big healthcare providers there, IRC and Medecins Sans Frontieres, have been told to leave. MSF fears a deadly meningitis outbreak could put thousands at risk. The big international agencies providing water to Kass camp in the south and Zalingei in the west have also been given their marching orders. IRC says each camp is home to 100,000 people. "The water is going to become an issue sooner rather than later without anyone to fill that gap, and that's very concerning for all of us in the international community, and it really should be of grave concern to the Sudanese government," Tjossem said. Without clean water, aid workers say the likelihood of epidemics spreading in the camps will increase dramatically. FEARS FOR LOCAL STAFF One international aid worker vented her anger at all the hard work being undone in a blog called Thirsty Palmetto. "Thousands of refugees are pouring into Zam Zam camp (North Darfur) right now as a result of rebel attacks and all the organisations who would have mobilised to feed, clothe, shelter and care for them have just been summarily kicked out," she wrote. "Those ... organisations who were kicked out were the ... biggest providers out there. Food, water, health, education, shelter, blankets - all of it depends on them. And now it's gone." As international staff pack their bags they aren't just saying goodbye to their projects but to the local staff who carry out the vast bulk of aid work in Sudan. Most will lose their jobs. Not only that, but there are fears for the safety of the Sudanese staff left behind once the internationals have gone. Khartoum's decision to shut down the aid groups will also affect the work of the U.N. agencies, which rely on them to carry out their projects on the ground. "Without us there as the implementers they certainly have very limited capacity to work. When a body loses its arms and legs it's hard to operate," Portella said. Several agencies said the Sudanese authorities had ordered them to gather up all their computers, mobile phones, vehicles and other assets. Officials were physically occupying some aid agency offices, counting cash in the safes, asking for bank details and going through accounts. The expelled agencies are flummoxed as to why they've been targeted. Similarly, those allowed to stay don't know why they have been exempted. "There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it all. We're doing similar types of work," Portella said. "None of us are politically aligned or have any kind of advocacy agenda or any connection to the International Criminal Court. It's really quite a mystery to everyone involved." IRC said it would try to persuade Khartoum to change its mind. "We do hope to resume a dialogue with the government and show them what impact this is having on their own people," Tjossem said. "We've been in Sudan for 28 years and are deeply committed to the people of Sudan." Other expelled agencies also vowed to make every effort to return. "There are millions who rely upon us for daily sustenance and just day-to-day survival. To have these people left with nothing and no support it's a humanitarian travesty," Portella added. "The needs are enormous so we will try our darnedest to get back." See also FACTBOX-Sudan hit by humanitarian group expulsions
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8 responses to “Aid agencies struggle in wake of Sudan expulsion ”
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06 Mar 2009 09:57:30 GMT
this is realy good for the sudanese people. too much dependance on international aid made them very depandant and lazy. those people lived in harsh conditions for thousnds of yers and sure as hell will survive without NGAs help...
07 Mar 2009 03:53:57 GMT
just because the sudanese as a people are able to deal with so called harsh conditions does not mean that it is ok for their human rights to be abused - the fact that foreign aid agencies have been expelled can only be a bad thing as it will lead to the suffering of many thousands of people - i do not think that it will be the strong people who will be suffering, it will be the women and children that will be affected. believe it or not if this kind of situation were to happen in a non third word country innocent people would not be allowed to suffer. my name is ezra scott from england - i can give my name because i do not live in fear of expressing my views because i live in a country where my human rights are protected - i bet your name is not dongol
07 Mar 2009 12:30:42 GMT
Well..........in Darfur only, more than 2 million live in IDP camps because gobernment can,t provide security (in fact is the main cause of insecurity). The services were provided by NGO (food, water & shelter)....I dont think that 2 million people have been living in such conditions for thousands of years. In terms of food security, Sudan is completely dependant.�� (Former aid worker)
07 Mar 2009 12:31:05 GMT
To dongol, It is clear that you have not even the slightest grasp upon what is going on in Sudan, otherwise it would be impossible for you to make such a statement. Once you do some research and educate yourself on the realities of the situation and what the Sudanese people face on a daily basis, I think perhaps you will have a different point of view.They are strong and proud and the furthest thing from lazy or dependent. They have enormous dignity and pride and great strength. That being said, anyone in their position would require outside help because their own government is murdering them.
PS: It is NGOs not NGAs and get a dictionary so you can learn how to spell. I am so offended by your ingnorance and lack of compassion, this situation is good for no one.07 Mar 2009 12:31:34 GMT
Dongol; clearly you have never been to Darfur. People displaced by conflict have greatly reduced coping mechanisms. I found many of the displaced people I served in South Darfur were extremely inventive and resourceful in taking a great deal of initiative in order to survive; quite the opposite of lazy I think you will find. Unfortunately the vast majority of the 2.7 million displaced people living in camps across Darfur cannot survive without the valuable services provided by the international humanitarian community.
08 Mar 2009 02:22:51 GMT
There is lot of similarities in ordering some aid agencies out of Sudan from the conflict areas and ordering all the aid agencies out of Srilankan conflict zones six month ago. Both the countries Srilanka and Sudan are accused of long ethnic cleansing war by many international human rights organisations. Neighbouring countries in west Africa and south Asia are actively supporting the ethnic cleansing war and closing their eyes ignoring the humans sufferings in Darfur and in Northern Sri Lanka.
What will happen after the aid agencies leave Sudan will be the same as what has happen in northern Srilanka today. Some neighboring countries supporting Sudan against ICC decision may step in and try to kelp the refugees feeding them while ethnic cleansing will continue unabated. The international societies are busy with the current economic dawn turn and have no time at all to spend on these ethnic cleansing war specially if it is in Asia or Africa. Only thing they will try to do is if the situation get worse out of hand there may be planed air drop of food and shooting dawn of Sudan air planes if they try to stop the food drops. Implementing ICC decisions needs more support from the world for true justice specially from some of the powerful rich nations of the world who are keeping away from ICC. There is yet some more time till the whole world accept ICC for a true world justice and join in all nations in implementing ICC orders. Till that time aid agencies and world human rights organisations will have to continue their struggle with these conflicts in countries like Sudan, Srilanka, Burma and Congo. World will continue to watch killings of civilians mostly children women and local volunteer workers who are helping these defenseless civilians.09 Mar 2009 03:05:11 GMT
Having been to Sudan in January i can support the general feelings above, The Sudanese are far from lazy, disempowered yes but lazy no, however, i feel Muthyavan lives in world devoid of reality. Until the ICC brings to justice those responsbile for systematic and sustained global crimes on a level way beyond that of any other country then the whole system is deemed to be farcical. So let the ICC begin by investigating and bringing to justice the US, UK and Israel.
09 Mar 2009 22:44:02 GMT
Marco (#7) seems to have totally misunderstood me regarding ICC carrying out its duty of justice to the innocent peoples of Darfur. In the last two paragraphs I have clearly written the problems faced by ICC in implementing justice to the affected in Darfur and elsewhere because of the rich powerful nations are keeping away from ICC without referring by name. Until ICC become an Internationally supported body it has no jurisdiction on what is happening elsewhere. That does not prevent doing justice to the people of Darfur as mentioned by the opposition leader and some human rights groups in Sudan.