The World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily halted all operations in Sudan following fighting between rival military groups that resulted in the deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday. The workers were performing life‑saving duties in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, according to a statement attributed to WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
In a separate incident the same day, a WFP‑managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was heavily damaged at Khartoum International Airport during an exchange of gunfire. The attack severely undermines WFP’s ability to transport humanitarian workers and aid throughout the country.
Ms. McCain announced that all WFP operations in Sudan are suspended pending a review of the evolving security situation. “WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity,” she said, “but we cannot do our life‑saving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed. All parties must reach an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of life‑saving assistance to the people of Sudan. They remain our top priority.” She added that any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable and called for immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain. The threats to WFP teams make it impossible for them to operate safely and effectively in the country and to carry out the UN agency’s critical work.
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