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