Aid worker killed in Darfur

An Investigation has been launched after the murder of an ACT/Caritas employee in Darfur, following a spate of attacks in the camps around Zalingei.

On Sunday, June 17, an employee of ACT/Caritas, the network through which SCIAF is working in Darfur, was shot and killed on his way home from work.

The employee, Adam Adam, was a guard and a pump operator at a water point in Khamsa Degaig camp for internally displaced people in Zalingei, West Darfur. He was also one of the local leaders in the camp.

Paul Chitnis, SCIAF’s chief executive, and Cardinal O’Brien visited Zalingei last year. Speaking of the news Mr Chitnis said:

“This is tragic news but sadly not a surprise. I could see from my visit to Darfur last year that our partners on the ground are working in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. Our thoughts and prayers go the Mr Adam’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Caritas has joined with Christian alliance, Action by Churches Together to form ACT/Caritas, a network of faith-based and Sudanese agencies through which SCIAF is working in Darfur.

This killing follows a spate of attacks in the camps around Zalingei. Since the beginning of June, five camp residents have been shot and killed, huts have been set on fire, people have been beaten, and women are being assaulted almost daily.

Hijackings of vehicles belonging to the UN and other international organisations also continue.

On his way home from work on Sunday evening, Mr Adam was ordered to stop by three unidentified men in civilian clothes. After refusing to stop, one of the three men shot him three times at point blank range. The guard died immediately.

The incident was witnessed by three women on their way to the water point. People in the camp tried to react, but the attackers fired shots into the crowd, dispersing them and allowing the gunmen to escape.

The security situation in and around Zalingei, where some 100,000 people have amassed in camps in search of safety and some little sustenance, has continued to deteriorate over the past year. People are still arriving in the camps every day.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life of one of our local staff members, Mr Adam Adam, in West Darfur. We extend our prayers, sympathy and support to his family," said John Nduna, director of the global christian alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International.

The victim was buried on Monday. ACT/Caritas officials will meet with the deceased’s family to discuss how to support the family.

26th June 2007