an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
This blog was written by an international aid worker employed by a major non-governmental organisation expelled from Sudan in March after a world court indicted the country's president for war crimes. For security reasons, the writer wishes to remain anonymous.
Khartoum using aid as bargaining chip
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
People have asked why this blog is anonymous. While we were in Sudan, nearly all aid workers would only speak anonymously, for fear of retaliation from the government. But now that we've been expelled from Darfur, what do we have to fear? The Sudanese government is always careful to make sure it has a bargaining chip. Although our programmes have been shut down, we still have concerns about the safety of our staff. Our Sudanese colleagues remain in the country, vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. Some have been interrogated, others are scared they will be next. Many organisations still have a small number of international staff left in Khartoum. Some had their passports taken by the government and have been told they will not be allowed to leave Sudan until the "closure" has been completed to the government's satisfaction. ...
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
People have asked why this blog is anonymous. While we were in Sudan, nearly all aid workers would only speak anonymously, for fear of retaliation from the government. But now that we've been expelled from Darfur, what do we have to fear? The Sudanese government is always careful to make sure it has a bargaining chip. Although our programmes have been shut down, we still have concerns about the safety of our staff. Our Sudanese colleagues remain in the country, vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. Some have been interrogated, others are scared they will be next. Many organisations still have a small number of international staff left in Khartoum. Some had their passports taken by the government and have been told they will not be allowed to leave Sudan until the "closure" has been completed to the government's satisfaction. ...
A month since they kicked us out of Sudan
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
Almost exactly a month ago, we were expelled from Darfur. Since then we have spent most days trying to get in touch with friends and colleagues there, hoping to find out what is happening in the communities which we had to leave behind. The reports we are getting from the camps are increasingly alarming. Over the past six years, people living in the camps have been bombed, raped, robbed and forced from their homes. They have been through suffering that I cannot even imagine, and have had to rely on aid agencies for basics like food, water and shelter. Now even that is being taken from them. ...
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
Almost exactly a month ago, we were expelled from Darfur. Since then we have spent most days trying to get in touch with friends and colleagues there, hoping to find out what is happening in the communities which we had to leave behind. The reports we are getting from the camps are increasingly alarming. Over the past six years, people living in the camps have been bombed, raped, robbed and forced from their homes. They have been through suffering that I cannot even imagine, and have had to rely on aid agencies for basics like food, water and shelter. Now even that is being taken from them. ...
The day they kicked us out of Sudan
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
As I flew out of Sudan, all I felt was guilt. I knew we had no choice - we were being forced to go - but I kept thinking of the people I had to leave behind: my Sudanese friends and colleagues; the children smiling and shouting "OK" every time they see a stranger; and most of all the people living in the camps, who have already suffered so much and are now having to suffer even more. I kept thinking of the women - who shared everything, no matter how little they had, who always had so much work to do, yet despite their hardship always managed a smile. ...
Author: an international aid worker expelled from Darfur
As I flew out of Sudan, all I felt was guilt. I knew we had no choice - we were being forced to go - but I kept thinking of the people I had to leave behind: my Sudanese friends and colleagues; the children smiling and shouting "OK" every time they see a stranger; and most of all the people living in the camps, who have already suffered so much and are now having to suffer even more. I kept thinking of the women - who shared everything, no matter how little they had, who always had so much work to do, yet despite their hardship always managed a smile. ...
