The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has officially been notified by the Sudanese authorities that two of its international staff members working on protection of and provision of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced person (IDPs), returnees and other conflict affected populations in Darfur have been ordered to leave the country. No explanation has been given as to why this decision was taken.  IOM regrets this development which will seriously impact on its capacity to continue its humanitarian work in Darfur. IOM's programmes in Darfur include the transportation of all non-food items (NFIs) and assistance for United Nations agencies and NGOs providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs in Darfur. IOM took over the NFI common pipeline after CARE was expelled in March 2009. IOM manages the database of aid beneficiaries for all organizations providing assistance in Darfur, particularly WFP, and is currently updating it to ensure a more accountable and properly targeted assistance programme in Darfur for the benefit of the aid beneficiaries, humanitarian organizations and donors working in Darfur. In Darfur, under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sudanese Government signed in 2004, IOM assesses and ensures that any return or relocation of displaced persons is both voluntary (ie  without deception or coercion and is based on the provision of unbiased information) and appropriate (ie in dignity and safety, and with good chances of sustainability).      IOM's population tracking and village assessment programme is essential to identify the needs of populations and address gaps in services and assistance at the village level. IOM is working with vulnerable communities in South Darfur, particularly those experiencing large numbers of returning internally displaced persons, to help them tackle environmental insecurity, support sustainable livelihoods and promote community-led development. IOM's staffing for Darfur includes one coordinator in Khartoum, twelve international staff and some 70 local staff split between three offices in Nyala, El Fashir and El Geneina. An Observer State of IOM since 1993, the Republic of Sudan became a full Member of IOM in 1998. IOM opened an office in Khartoum in 2000 where activities initially focused on the resettlement of refugees to various receiving countries in collaboration with UNHCR. In 2002, IOM Sudan expanded its activities to include assistance to IDPs, specifically for their return and reintegration. For further information, please contact: Jean-Philippe Chauzy IOM Geneva Tel:+41 22 717 93 61      +41 79 285 43 66 E-mail: "mailto:jpchauzy@iom.int" target="_blank" title= "">jpchauzy@iom.int or Redouane Saadi IOM Geneva Tel: +41 22 717 93 21       +41 79 701 60 54 E-mail: "mailto:rsaadi@iom.int" target="_blank" title= "">rsaadi@iom.int