United Nations Radio

UN aid agencies are reacting to the decision of the Government of Sudan to expel 13 non-governmental organizations providing assistance to the internally displaced in the country.

Darfuri women feeding babies

The World Health Organization -WHO- says it is concerned about the expulsion of NGOs from Sudan.
Spokeswoman Fadella Chaib says the expulsion will break an important link in the provision of health services.

"They are partners of WHO and other health parties working in Sudan in order to help the population not only the host population but also the IDP population. The implications includes this could lead to increasing mortality and morbidity due to the interruption of health services and also can include declining immunization coverage and increasing mortality among children if they do not have access to therapeutic feeding and nutrition services."

Fadella Chaib says these non-governmental organizations were assisting WHO in surveillance of infectious diseases.
She says it is a vital task aimed at preventing the emergence of diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

duration: 1'11"