New Delhi, September 3: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported that on Sunday, two of its trucks were hit by an airstrike near Dilling in South Kordofan, South Sudan. These trucks were en route to Kadugli, delivering essential food assistance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the WFP noted that over 50 metric tons of food supplies were destroyed in the attack. This amount could have provided life-saving food aid to approximately 5,800 people for a month.
The WFP strongly condemned the assault, emphasizing that the trucks were clearly marked with WFP banners and flags, making their identification straightforward.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, the organization stated that this incident exemplifies the challenging conditions faced by humanitarian agencies in Sudan. Since the beginning of this year, there have been eight airstrikes on WFP facilities and operations, disrupting their work and hindering relief efforts.
The WFP called on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians, aid workers, and humanitarian resources.
The organization stressed that attacks on aid workers and humanitarian operations are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately.
In Kadugli, the WFP is assisting nearly 58,000 individuals facing severe food insecurity, providing them with direct food supplies.
The human rights organization ‘Emergency Lawyers’ also condemned the attack. They stated that targeting clearly marked humanitarian vehicles not only endangers relief efforts but also puts the lives of ordinary citizens at risk.
In their statement on Wednesday, the group warned that restrictions on access to aid and attempts to control or halt assistance distribution are exacerbating the crisis.
According to the organization, declining agricultural and livestock productivity, along with reduced rainfall, are worsening conditions. This is increasing pressure on communities and heightening the risk of water scarcity.
Emergency Lawyers urged all parties in the conflict to remove barriers to civilians’ access to food and aid, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need without discrimination or interruption.
The organization also demanded an immediate independent investigation into this attack and previous assaults on humanitarian aid, holding those responsible accountable.
Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced both within and outside the country, leading to increased food shortages and disrupted aid supply chains.
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