Aid Workers Fear For Their Lives

The situation in Darfur is spiraling out of control. Aid workers are in imminent danger of abduction, expulsion, resistance and even murder. Immediately following the issuance of the arrest warrant for Sudanese leader Al-Bashir, 13 foreign aid groups were expelled for "spying" for the ICC. The IRC (International Rescue Committee), WPF (World Food Program), and WHO (World Health Organization) are among those expelled. This has only further agitated a volatile situation.

The victimization of aid groups did not stop there. Five Medecins Sans Frontieres workers were kidnapped in Darfur on the evening of 11 March 2009. Two were Sudanese and released immediately, but Marilyn McHarg (Canadian), Mauro D'Ascanio (Italian) and Raphael Meunier (French) were held for three days before being released and returning home. During that time, the aid group was forced to recall all their workers in the region.

On 23 March 2009, in a remote village called Kongo Haraza, further violence resulting from the situation led to the murder of a Sudanese worker for a Canadian aid group in Darfur. Two days prior, gunmen entered Adam Khatir's house demanding a satellite phone. Khatir would not comply and was beaten as a result. When the men returned, they came demanding Khatir's life. A total of 12 aid workers have been killed in Darfur in the past year.

Aid groups have also been targeted in car jackings, ambushes and the like in the last month. However, according to a BBC article, "Aid agencies say they will not cease operations in Darfur, despite spiralling security risks in the area." Some groups have been forced to flee and there has been visible decline in aid to the region. Many more have remained. Those who have fled ought not be criticized, but those who have remained ought be praised for their courageous efforts to fight inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. Hail NGOs!