The World Bank Group has saddened by the attack on aid workers that has resulted in the deaths of three World Food Programme employees and four staff of the Blue Nile Mashreg Bank during fighting in Sudan, and injuries to several others.
According to the statement released by the Apex Bank on Monday, stated that these aid workers were working on a World Bank administered social safety net project to provide emergency support to families in dire need of food assistance.
While extending its heartfelt condolences to their families and to the leadership and staff of the WFP and BNMB, the World Bank said aid workers are essential for successful delivery of critical services and should never be a target.
“Our thoughts are equally with the people of Sudan, who are once again facing conflict along with persistent risks of natural disasters and economic stress. We hope for a quick resolution to the situation in the country”, the Apex Bank added.
The WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain on Sunday, was heartbroken over the tragic deaths of three aid employees on Saturday 15 April in violence that occurred in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, while carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis.
She demanded immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain, adding that aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. McCain said “Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP’s critical work”.
“All parties must come to an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of life saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.They remain our top priority”, she said.
It was reported that the fight outbreak between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has reached many parts of the capital Khartoum and other areas outside the capital, which started on Saturday morning.
According to media reports, the RSF claimed taken control of Khartoum international airport, Merowe airport, al-Obeid airport and the presidential palace. The RSF, an independent Sudanese military force, grew out of the Janjaweed militia, formerly active in the Darfur region of the country.
The organization has been involved in talks aimed at a transition from the current military rule, which has existed since a coup in 2021, to a civilian government. The integration of the RSF into the armed forces has been one of issues under discussion, as part of UN-backed political agreement reached in February, following months of negotiations.