WFP Sudan staff killed and injured as operations temporarily stopped

The World Food Program temporarily halted all operations in Sudan after three staff members were killed and two others were injured as the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces clashed.

WFP's new executive director, Cindy McCain, said on Sunday she was "appalled and heartbroken" by the three deaths a day earlier as a result of violence in North Darfur, and that due to the "evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan."

The military and RSF, each headed by generals who formerly collaborated in a military coup in October 2021, were fighting for control of the country over the weekend.

An estimated 15 million people including refugees among Sudan's 46.7 million population are facing acute food insecurity, according to WFP, while most of the nation faces continual humanitarian, security and economic challenges, driving them further into poverty. Acute food insecurity is the stage of hunger when a person's life or livelihood is in immediate danger because of a lack of food.

"WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," McCain said.

The three employees died "while carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis," she said, and the two other WFP employees were injured in the same incident.

"Any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable and I demand immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain," said McCain. "Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP’s critical work."

WFP aircraft damage

The World Health Organization called for the protection of health workers and patients, and for unrestricted access to health care as the fighting continued in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of Sudan.

More than 83 people were killed and at least 1,126 injured in Sudan, especially Khartoum, with limited movement in the city posing risks to medical care, according to WHO officials.

The U.N. health agency said it was monitoring health needs and resources to ensure supplies are sent to where they are most needed, but there were widespread shortages of blood, transfusion equipment, and other medical supplies. Water and power cuts, along with fuel shortages, also were affecting facilities.

Sudan has lacked a functioning government since October 2021 when the military declared a state of emergency and brushed aside Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government. But Sudan’s military and political leaders signed an agreement last year to restore stability.

An aircraft used for humanitarian purposes that WFP manages was significantly damaged at Khartoum International airport during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday. The Rome-based U.N. agency said that has had a serious impact on its ability to move humanitarian workers and aid within the country.

McCain called for all sides in Sudan to agree to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and the continued delivery of life-saving aid. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the violence and called for those responsible for killing and injuring the WFP staff to be brought to justice.

"United Nations and other humanitarian premises have also been hit by projectiles and looted in several locations in Darfur," Guterres' office said.

This story has been updated with additional details.