Geneva (ICRC) – An employee of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been killed during fighting in and around Seleia, West Darfur. He was a 45-year-old Sudanese national and father of six children.

The ICRC is shocked by the news of this death, which occurred during the evening of 8 February at the ICRC office in Seleia.

The exact circumstances of this tragic event remain unclear.

The ICRC delegation in Sudan is in contact with the parties concerned with the aim of organizing a visit to Seleia.

The visit will take place as soon as security conditions permit, and its purpose will be to seek further clarification of this death and to evaluate the needs of the local population.

The ICRC condemns all attacks on humanitarian workers, and reminds all parties concerned that international humanitarian law requires them to respect and protect personnel carrying out relief work.

Parties must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of such personnel and must respect the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems.

The ICRC is a neutral, independent and humanitarian organization, and has been operating throughout Darfur since 2004.

Working out of eight offices, it focuses on the needs of the rural population.

The organization monitors respect for international humanitarian law and reminds all parties of their obligation to respect civilians and civilian property.

It endeavours to trace and reunite people separated from their families by the conflict, provides access to water and health care, and helps people restore or maintain their livelihoods.

The ICRC extends its condolences to the family of the victim, who was not only a colleague but also a friend.

His death is a loss for the entire organization.

For further information, please contact:
Iris Meierhans, ICRC Khartoum, tel: +249 9121 70576
Anna Schaaf, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 217 3217

See also ICRC media contacts

This article on www.icrc.org