Oxfam temporarily closes two offices in North Darfur

The Oxfam aid organisation has temporarily closed two of its offices in Darfur after the abduction of a Sudanese employee. The man was seized by gunmen who hijacked an Oxfam vehicle two months ago and remains missing, BBC reported 10 July 2006. Excerpt:

The two offices that have been closed - Saraf Omra and Birka Seira - are in North Darfur.

Oxfam's programmes in the surrounding villages and camps for the displaced have been providing more than 50,000 people with clean water, sanitation facilities, hygiene education and assistance to improve their livelihoods. Oxfam says it has taken steps to try to ensure that many needs will continue to be met.

Paul Smith-Lomas, Oxfam's regional director, said: "Since the abduction we have been working tirelessly with the African Union, the UN, government authorities and local communities to try and locate him, without success."