The World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily halted all operations in Sudan after three of its employees were tragically killed on Saturday, April 15, in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, Sudan.
Two other WFP employees were injured while carrying out life-saving duties in the same incident.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain expressed her shock and heartbreak at the tragic deaths of the humanitarian workers on the front lines of the global hunger crisis.
"Any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable, and I demand immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain," McCain said.
Also read: Alfred Mutua's responds to Kenya's border 'row' with South Sudan
The incident occurred amid an exchange of gunfire in which one WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was also significantly damaged at Khartoum International Airport.
While reviewing the evolving security situation, WFP announced that it was forced to halt all its operations in Sudan.
McCain said that aid workers are neutral and should never be targeted, and threats to the teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP’s critical work.
"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," she added.
She added that WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity. Still, its teams' and partners' safety and security must be guaranteed for lifesaving work to be carried out.
"We cannot do our life-saving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners are not guaranteed," she said.
McCain urged all parties to come to an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.
Also read: South Sudan minister orders schoolgirls to shave hair to 'concentrate in class'
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Sudan plunged into chaos as clashes between military rivals left 56 civilians and dozens of fighters dead.
The fighting between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by deputy leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, continued for a second day.
The army launched airstrikes on the RSF's base near Khartoum's capital to reassert control over the country.
Eyewitnesses reported that the army struck an RSF base in Omdurman, adjoining Khartoum, after heavy fighting. The military and the RSF claimed control over the airport and other key installations in Khartoum, where fighting raged overnight.
The clashes followed rising tensions over the RSF's integration into the military, which has delayed signing an internationally backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy.
The fighting coincided with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and concerns are growing that it could plunge Sudan into widespread conflict, derailing efforts to move toward elections.
Also read: Murkomen reveals plans to build railway line to South Sudan
This post have 0 komentar
EmoticonEmoticon