Sudan threatens to suspend MSF activities in South Darfur

NEWS | 27 October 2008

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is extremely concerned about recent comments made by Sudanese government representatives that the aid organization’s activities in South Darfur may be suspended after Oct. 31.

In February 2008, based on the health needs of displaced people and local residents, MSF signed an agreement with the state government of South Darfur for medical activities to be carried out through the year.

The agreement was sent to Khartoum for national endorsement. For months, MSF has been engaging with the Sudanese government in an attempt to obtain the final signatures, but without success.

Photo: MSF | Muhajariya, Darfur, Sudan.

The government has since asked MSF to reduce its personnel, to stop certain medical activities and to limit staffing numbers. MSF continues to negotiate the signing of the agreement, which covers its current activities.

Since 2004, MSF has been providing humanitarian medical aid in Darfur with full transparency and with the consent of Sudanese government officials.

Photo: MSF | Muhajariya, Darfur, Sudan.

MSF has worked in Sudan for more than 25 years. Over the last four years, MSF clinics and hospitals have treated hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur. MSF’s work in Sudan has helped to stabilize the health of these populations and reduce their suffering.

“For decades the Sudanese authorities have allowed MSF into the country to help people in need,” said Vincent Hoedt, a former MSF head of mission in Darfur who now manages the organization’s field operations. “We don’t understand why they are now trying to prevent us from providing medical aid to the population. It’s incredibly frustrating, when there are clearly still serious needs in Darfur.”