The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has officially
been notified by the Sudanese authorities that two of its
international staff members working on protection of and provision
of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced person (IDPs),
returnees and other conflict affected populations in Darfur have
been ordered to leave the country.

No explanation has been given as to why this decision was
taken.  IOM regrets this development which will seriously
impact on its capacity to continue its humanitarian work in
Darfur.

IOM's programmes in Darfur include the transportation of all
non-food items (NFIs) and assistance for United Nations agencies
and NGOs providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs in Darfur. IOM
took over the NFI common pipeline after CARE was expelled in March
2009.

IOM manages the database of aid beneficiaries for all
organizations providing assistance in Darfur, particularly WFP, and
is currently updating it to ensure a more accountable and properly
targeted assistance programme in Darfur for the benefit of the aid
beneficiaries, humanitarian organizations and donors working in
Darfur.

In Darfur, under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Sudanese Government signed in 2004, IOM assesses and ensures
that any return or relocation of displaced persons is both
voluntary (ie  without deception or coercion and is based on
the provision of unbiased information) and appropriate (ie in
dignity and safety, and with good chances of
sustainability).     

IOM's population tracking and village assessment programme is
essential to identify the needs of populations and address gaps in
services and assistance at the village level.

IOM is working with vulnerable communities in South Darfur,
particularly those experiencing large numbers of returning
internally displaced persons, to help them tackle environmental
insecurity, support sustainable livelihoods and promote
community-led development.

IOM's staffing for Darfur includes one coordinator in Khartoum,
twelve international staff and some 70 local staff split between
three offices in Nyala, El Fashir and El Geneina.

An Observer State of IOM since 1993, the Republic of Sudan
became a full Member of IOM in 1998. IOM opened an office in
Khartoum in 2000 where activities initially focused on the
resettlement of refugees to various receiving countries in
collaboration with UNHCR. In 2002, IOM Sudan expanded its
activities to include assistance to IDPs, specifically for their
return and reintegration.

For further information, please contact:

Jean-Philippe Chauzy

IOM Geneva

Tel:+41 22 717 93 61

     +41 79 285 43 66

E-mail: "mailto:jpchauzy@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">jpchauzy@iom.int

or

Redouane Saadi

IOM Geneva

Tel: +41 22 717 93 21

      +41 79 701 60 54

E-mail: "mailto:rsaadi@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">rsaadi@iom.int