Nairobi, Kenya, March 1, 2000 --
Catholic Relief Services will remain operational in southern Sudan amidst
the withdrawal of other humanitarian agencies in the region. The withdrawal
comes as the result of an ultimatum delivered by the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation
Association (SRRA), the relief wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement
(SPLM), stating that all non-governmental organizations must sign a Memorandum
of Understanding before March 1, 2000 or withdraw from all SPLM-controlled
areas. SPLM has been fighting for independence in Sudan since 1983. "We
feel that our presence and activity in support of those in need, the local
church and other civic organizations will not be compromised by the terms
of the Memorandum of Understanding," said Kenneth F. Hackett, Executive
Director of Catholic Relief Services."
The Memorandum of Understanding, drafted
by the SRRA, details the relationship between the SRRA and all non-governmental
agencies working in southern Sudan, and outlines points of cooperation
to which humanitarian agencies operating in southern Sudan must agree.
Subsequent SRRA correspondence stated that all non-governmental agencies
that do not sign the agreement must withdraw their staff from SPLM-controlled
areas by March 1. The United Nations and the International Committee
of the Red Cross are exempted from the MOU.
Catholic Relief Services remains the largest non-governmental agency operating in southern Sudan, directly reaching more than 200,000 beneficiaries in the war-torn region. Since 1983, southern Sudan -- largely Christian and animist -- has been fighting for independence from the largely Muslim and Arab north. An estimated two million people have been killed in the fighting, which has resulted in massive internal displacement and famine in southern Sudan.
"We hope that, although the deadline for withdrawal has now passed, further dialogue between all concerned parties can still take place so we can all help bring an end to the suffering and injustice taking place in southern Sudan," Hackett said.
Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Church. Operating in more than 80 countries around the world, Catholic Relief Services provides assistance based solely on the basis of need, not race, creed, or nationality.
For more information about Catholic Relief Services and our programs around the world, visit our web site at www.catholicrelief.org.
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Jennifer Lindsey
Communications Associate - Africa
Catholic Relief Services
Tel. (410) 625-2220, ext. 3256
Fax (410) 234-2992
e-mail: Jlindsey@catholicrelief.org
CONTACT
U.S.: Jennifer Lindsey, tel. 410-625-2220,
ext. 3256
Nairobi: Dave Snyder, 254-244-2086