al-Bashir expelled 13 key humanitarian agencies from Sudan. Armed men have forcibly shut down aid compounds, seizing computers, cameras, personal phones and vehicles.
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Yesterday the International Criminal Court charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his 'essential role' in the murder, rape, torture, pillaging and displacement of millions in the Darfur region of Sudan.

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It is less widely known that within hours of the ICC's call for his arrest, al-Bashir expelled 13 key humanitarian agencies from Sudan. They include Oxfam, Solidarities, Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, CARE, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee. Armed men have forcibly shut down aid compounds, seizing computers, cameras, personal phones and vehicles.

These agencies provided life saving food, water, health care and sanitation to more than two million displaced people. Humanitarian operations in Darfur are now facing total collapse.

Since 2003 the world watched hundreds of thousands die in Darfur. Are we now prepared to watch millions of innocent men, women and children perish of hunger and disease?

(photo by Mia Farrow)

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