SUDAN Statement from CARE regarding operations in Sudan

ATLANTA, USA (March 4, 2009) - The humanitarian organization CARE released the following statement today regarding its operations in Sudan:

CARE acknowledges receipt of a letter from the government of Sudan today cancelling our registration to operate in the country. We are assessing what this means for the 1.5 million people who now receive food, water, sanitation, livelihood, and health assistance from CARE. CARE is among a number of organizations who received the letter revoking the license to operate.

CARE has operated in Sudan for 28 years, implementing projects in agriculture, water and sanitation, livelihoods, education, and health in North and South Kordofan and Khartoum. For the past six years, CARE has undertaken emergency life-saving assistance in Darfur and neighboring Chad. Sudan is one of CARE's largest operations in East and Central Africa with over 650 staff in the country, the majority of whom are Sudanese nationals with approximately 30 expatriates employed to assist people in the IDP (internally displaced persons) camps and rural areas.
The Khartoum Headquarters manages 13 sub offices throughout North Sudan.

Our priorities continue to be full humanitarian access and a just resolution to the conflict so that people can live in peace.

Contact: Lurma Rackley, [email protected]; (+1) 404-979-9450