Kathmandu, December 20
UN High Commissioner for Refugees on Tuesday welcomed the safe release of three of its staffers — Sarun Pradhan, Ramesh Karki and Musa Omer Musa Mohamed. Pradhan and Karki are Nepali nationals.
In a press release, UNHCR informed that they were abducted in El Geneina, Sudan, on November 27.
The release states: UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is very pleased by the safe release yesterday of the three UNHCR staff members Sarun Pradhan, Ramesh Karki and Musa Omer Musa Mohamed.
The UN agency offered special thanks to the Sudanese government and its personnel for working to ensure the staffers’ safe release. It also thanked the members of the UN’s hostage management team and others, who worked tirelessly on this case.
It said: Our immediate focus is on the released staffers’ health and well-being, as well as that of their loved ones following this ordeal. We are doing everything possible to ensure they are being well taken care of.
UNHCR thanked all those, who have sent messages of concern and solidarity during the difficult last days. It said these messages have come from supporters, governments, partners and private individuals, and they have been welcome solace.
It appealed all parties, not just in Sudan but everywhere, to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of all civilians, including aid workers whose work is to help refugees and others affected by conflict and persecution.
