The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemns an attack on one of its trucks near the town of Hamra El Sheikh in North Darfur, Sudan last night. The truck was part of a larger convoy of 39 trucks on route with vital food assistance to support hungry families who fled to Tawilah, North Darfur in search of food and safety.
The truck was under repair due to mechanical problems when it was attacked, destroying the truck’s cabin and seriously injuring the driver, who was immediately evacuated to hospital for urgent treatment.
We call for an immediate and independent investigation into the incident and parties found responsible should be held to account.
The convoy was more than halfway through its 1000-kilometer journey when the incident happened. The movement had been cleared for use by all parties to the conflict. The route is the main supply lifeline for WFP to reach the most vulnerable people in Darfur – with close to 100 aid trucks every month using the same roads to deliver critical food assistance.
This latest incident is the sixth serious attack on WFP trucks, assets, and facilities in Sudan in the past year – with eight humanitarians and partners killed, and many more injured. This is unacceptable.
Humanitarian staff and assets must never be a target.
Unimpeded access to reach the most vulnerable families in Darfur and all famine-stricken areas is critical.
WFP supports 700,000 people in Tawilah with lifesaving food aid. Hundreds of thousands of people had fled to the town for safety, including families from El Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp – both of which have had famine confirmed.
