IRC Nurse Killed in North Darfur

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002150 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/SPG DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/EA AND DCHA SUDAN TEAM NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PREF UN AU SU SUBJECT: IRC Nurse Killed in North Darfur ¶1. Summary: On September 1, a Sudanese nurse working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) was killed in a cross-fire during fighting between Sudanese Armed Forces and National Redemption Front rebels in Hashaba, 100 km north of El Fasher, Darfur. Two civilians also died in the incident, which included looting of the health center, pharmacy, and guest house. End summary. ¶2. The IRC, UN Office of Civil and Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),and UN Sudan Bulletin reports on the incident were as follows: (Begin IRC text of Sept. 4) Health Worker Killed in Darfur The International Rescue Committee is saddened to report the death of an IRC nurse during fighting in Hashaba, North Darfur, on Friday, Sept. 1. The victim, a 37-year-old Sudanese national, ran the IRC's health center in Hashaba, about 100 kilometers north of El Fasher. The health center, along with a pharmacy and guesthouse managed by the IRC, were also looted during the fighting there. With this tragic death, the toll of humanitarian workers killed in Darfur since May rises to 12, a sign of the deteriorating security situation in the region. The IRC, the sole health care provider in the Hashaba area, has not been able to access an estimated population of 85,000 for more than three months due to instability there. As a result, people in this area have been denied access to the basics of human survival. The IRC commends its Sudanese workers and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to provide what services they can in these difficult circumstances. The IRC calls upon all parties to the conflict in Darfur to cease targeting civilians and humanitarian workers. We hope to be able to access this area and resume providing humanitarian services as soon as possible. In Darfur, the International Rescue Committee is providing humanitarian services, including primary health care, water and environmental sanitation, to 740,000 people in need. The IRC has been working in Sudan for 25 years and began operations in Darfur in 2004 in response to the humanitarian crisis there. Its Darfur work is supplemented by more than 1,100 "incentive workers," such as the victim in Friday's violence, who receive small stipends or other incentives for their efforts. They play a vital role in assisting the IRC with the provision of humanitarian assistance. The International Rescue Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the victim, a valued colleague and friend. His death is a loss for IRC Sudan and for the organization. (End IRC text) (Begin UN OCHA text of Sept. 5) United Nations Condemns Killing of Nurse in Darfur Khartoum, 5th September The United Nations strongly condemns the death of another humanitarian worker in the increasingly unstable region of Darfur in Sudan. The victim, a nurse, was working with the International Rescue Committee. The health centre where the victim worked was also looted, along with a pharmacy and guesthouse also managed by IRC. "It saddens us greatly that yet another aid worker has been killed in Darfur," said Manuel da Silva, the UN's Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Sudan. "We are also alarmed that an attack on a clinic has occurred. The targeting and looting of a humanitarian facility such as a medical centre is completely unacceptable. The neutrality and essential services provided by such facilities must be recognized by all." (End UN OCHA text) (Begin UN Sudan Bulletin text of Sept. 6) An INGO national staff worker was killed in Hashaba (100 km North of El Fasher) in crossfire between SAF and NRF on 1 September. Two other civilians were also killed. The INGO clinic in the village was also looted. (End UN Sudan Bulletin text) HUME