Eurocommissaris Georgieva betreurt het besluit twee medewerkers van Internationale Organisatie voor Migratie weg te halen (en)

Kristalina Georgieva i, European Commissioner i for International Cooperation Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response has today regret deeply the decision to expel from Darfur two staff working for the International Organisation for Migration. This organisation, which is funded by ECHO i the Commission's Humanitarian department- provides vital assistance in Darfur where million of people depend on external aid for their survival.

The Commissioner said: "This unfortunate decision will penalise the Sudanese people in the first place. Humanitarian aid is provided solely on the basis of people's needs, independently from any political consideration. We call upon the government to support and protect the work of humanitarian organisations in Darfur."

During her recent visit to Darfur, Commissioner Georgieva praised the dedication and courage of the humanitarian workers in bringing relief in the region, which has progressively slid into a "forgotten crisis". Delivering humanitarian assistance in Darfur is still a huge challenge given the pervasive violence that affects the whole region and the difficulty to access vulnerable population.

The European Commission has a long standing commitment to contribute to alleviate the suffering of millions of Sudanese affected by conflict and disasters in Darfur through the work of many reputed humanitarian organisations. Sudan is the European commission's world's greatest humanitarian operation.

For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm