AJWS Asks International Community to Demand Reinstatement of International Aid Groups into Sudan

March 13, 2009; New York, NY— Ruth W. Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service, has issued a statement today calling on the international community to actively push for the re-instatement of international aid organizations into Darfur so workers can continue providing critical services to the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons throughout Darfur and Chad.

“The already fragile humanitarian situation in Darfur is bound to deteriorate quickly. Our elected leaders are being called upon to represent the values, conscience, and humanity of their constituents,” the statement reads.

“The expulsion of 13 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the termination of three national NGOs will lead to the loss of 7,610 humanitarian staff and diminish the capacity of the world’s largest humanitarian effort by about fifty percent. The human results are staggering: 1.5 million Darfuris will lose access to health and nutrition services; 1.1 million will stop receiving general food distribution; and 1.16 million will have water, hygiene, and sanitation services interrupted.

“The situation is dire and will require the entire international community to come together to avert rapid and substantial loss of life.”