The World Food Programme (WFP) has immediately lifted the temporary suspension of its operations put in place after the tragic deaths of three team members on April 15, 2023, saying the crisis in Sudan pushes millions into hunger.
WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain who disclosed this on Monday, said distribution of food is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in coming days to provide life-saving assistance that many desperately need now.
Media Bypass News reported that the ED was heartbroken when she announced the tragic deaths of three employees on Saturday 15 April in violence that occurred in North Darfur, Sudan, carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis.
Two WFP employees were also injured in the same incident, reviewing the evolving security situation then, the Agency was forced to temporarily halt all operations while demanding immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain.
The ED lamented that the security situation is still highly precarious right now. “WFP is considering locations where humanitarian access is assured while strongly considering security, capacity and access-related considerations.
“We will take utmost care to ensure safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable. To best protect our necessary humanitarian workers and the people of Sudan, the fighting must stop”.
McCain revealed that over 15 million people faced severe food insecurity in Sudan before this conflict. “We expect these numbers to grow significantly as fighting continues. It is times like this that WFP and our UN partners are needed most”, she added.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths said that two weeks since clashes erupted in Sudan, humanitarian situation is reaching breaking point.
According to him, “Goods essential for people’s survival are becoming scarce in the hardest-hit urban centres, especially Khartoum, and families are struggling to access water, food, fuel and other critical commodities.
“The cost of transportation out of worst-hit areas risen exponentially, leaving the most vulnerable unable to locate to safer areas. Access to urgent health care, for those injured in the violence, severely constrained, raising the risk of preventable death”.
Adding that, “The toll on mental health, especially for children and young people, is unfathomable. The United Nations and our partners are doing our best to reboot the humanitarian response in the country.
“Massive looting of the offices and warehouses of humanitarian organizations has depleted most of our supplies. We are exploring urgent ways to bring in and distribute additional supplies.
“A shipment with five containers of intravenous fluids and other emergency supplies is docked in Port Sudan, awaiting clearance by the authorities”, Griffiths lamented.
He stressed that tens of thousands of people have fled Sudan and are seeking safety in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan, often among already vulnerable communities.
“Under the leadership of the UN Refugee Agency, we are working with host governments and supporting local partners to help meet their immediate needs.
“The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented. We are extremely concerned by the immediate as well as long-term impact on all people in Sudan and the broader region.
The UN Envoy called on conflicting parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. “Ensure safe passage for civilians fleeing areas of hostilities. Respect humanitarian workers and assets. Respect medical personnel, transport and facilities and stop using them as shields”, he said.