Sudan gov't expels Oxfam GB from northern Sudan

From Teletext UK 4 March 2009:
Aid agencies expelled

The Sudanese government has expelled aid organisations, including Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK.

Oxfam confirmed its licence to work in northern Sudan had been revoked and said that it will be appealing against the decision.

It follows the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir on war crimes charges.

- - -

From M&C UK 4 March 2009 - excerpt:
Sudan revokes permits of relief groups

Oxfam said it was appealing the decision, hoping for a quick resolution.

'If Oxfam Great Britain's registration is revoked, it will affect more than 600,000 Sudanese people whom we provide with vital humanitarian and development aid, including clean water and sanitation on a daily basis,' said Penny Lawrence, Oxfam's international director.

It said 400,000 of the Sudanese it aids are 'affected by the ongoing conflict in Darfur - where people continue to flee from violence and the humanitarian needs remain enormous. It will also affect another 200,000 poor people in the east of the country and Khartoum state.'

Oxfam began its operation in northern Sudan in 1983 and currently has 450 staff, 90 per cent of whom are Sudanese.