Two Germans working for World Vision kidnapped in southern Sudan
Sudan-Germany, Local, 7/31/2002

The German foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it has formed a crisis unit for releasing two of its citizens working in the World Vision organization, kidnapped by the rebels in Southern Sudan.

World Vision International describes itself as "a Christian relief and development organization working for the well being of all people, especially children. Through emergency relief, education, health care, economic development and promotion of justice, World Vision helps communities help themselves."

The organization describes that "World Vision began its work in Sudan in 1972, assisting those affected by war. Since then, World Vision has primarily worked in the south, with projects covering health care, water, agriculture and emergency relief caused by drought and war displacements. World Vision's projects in Sudan grew to be one of our largest program, with a budget in FY2000 of US$16 million. In March 2000, World Vision was forced to leave all of its project areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) as it refused to sign the SPLA's Memorandum of Understanding. Meanwhile, after ongoing talks with the SPLA, World Vision staff returned to southern Sudan, Western Equatoria, in August 2001."

It is not clear what role politics plays in the kidnapping event. The organization in one of its reports describes the situation in its area of work as "Government military barges roam the Nile river shelling nomadic communities and armed militia storm the cattle camps abducting women and children, killing men, and raiding cattle." adding in a March report that World Vision "is looking to expand operations in Waat and Pulchoul districts (currently primary health care) to include a water intervention, food security, and possibly also peace building."

In a statement, the German ministry said that one Kenyan citizen working in the same humanitarian organization was killed, most likely during the kidnapping process. The ministry said that so far, the reasons behind kidnapping the employees are not clear.

According to information which is not yet confirmed, the kidnappers belong to a group that has changed its alliance many times during the war in southern Sudan.

Previous Stories:
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