Khartoum, April 24(Darfur24)The United Nations today relocated a number of its internationally recruited staff – on a temporary basis – from Khartoum to Port Sudan with the intention of relocating them to neighboring countries where they will work remotely, as a measure to minimize risks to their safety, while continuing to provide assistance to the Sudanese people.
This was stated in a press release issued by the United Nations Integrated Transition Support Mission in Sudan.
The statement said that about 700 staff of the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations, and embassy staff and their families arrived in Port Sudan by land.
Already 43 internationally recruited United Nations staff and 29 international NGO staff have been evacuated from El Geneina ,West Darfur and Zalingei ,Central Darfurto Chad, while planning and implementation of other operations continues.
The statement added that a number of staff, including Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Berthes, will remain in Sudan to continue working towards a solution to the current crisis.
The United Nations is taking the necessary measures to protect Sudanese employees and their families, and is looking into all possible ways to support them.
There are 877 international and 3,272 local employees working with the United Nations in Sudan, with a total of 4,149 male and female employees.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and the head of the UN mission said that a change has occurred in the nature of the mission’s presence on the ground in light of the security situation.
However, he confirmed that there is no plan or thought for the United Nations to leave Sudan.
He added, “We are committed to staying in Sudan and supporting the Sudanese people in every way we can. We will do everything we can to save lives while protecting the safety of our people.”
The press release said that Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Berthes will continue to use his good offices, in close coordination with partners, to de-escalate tensions and end hostilities in Sudan.