Mercy Corps staff kicked out of Sudan

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 08:51

A CITY-based international relief organisation has been expelled from one of the world's most crisis-hit nations.

The government of Sudan has kicked out Mercy Corps workers by revoking its registration to work there and telling all its international staff to leave.

The move has infuriated Mercy Corps staff, who say the unexpected decision will pose risk to a nation already torn apart by war, famine and acute poverty.

Executive director Mervyn Lee said they would attempt to appeal the decision through Sudanese courts. The charity has operated in the country for five years and helps around 200,000 people by keeping camps clean, training health promoters, building schools and providing skills.

He said: "This is a devastating blow to the many people of Sudan. who rely upon NGOs for both immediate survival and help in building more prosperous and stable futures for their families."