Insecurity Forces Caritas Relocation in Sudan

DARFUR, Sudan, OCT. 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Caritas Internationalis and Action by Churches Together aid agencies are relocating staff as insecurity in the region heightens.

The organizations announced today that they are moving a number of the Darfur Emergency Response Operation program staff in Sudan's South Darfur.

The joint faith-based operation, operating sine 2004, has channeled the resources of over 60 Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox organizations into one of the largest humanitarian programs in South and West Darfur.

John Distefano, the director of the ACT-Caritas operation said, "This is a precautionary measure in line with standard procedures and we hope to have our staff back in the field after the Eid holiday [the end of the annual fasting month of Ramadan] to continue their work to support the seriously affected communities of Darfur."

Over the last three months, the situation in Darfur has continued to be unpredictable with increased insecurity challenges for humanitarian operations.

ZE07101205 - 2007-10-12