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WFP trucks hit in Kordofan
An air strike destroyed two clearly marked World Food Programme (WFP) trucks on 30 August in South Kordofan, carrying 50 metric tonnes of food to support 5,800 people for a month.
“The trucks carried 50 metric tonnes of WFP food including cereals, yellow split peas, vegetable oil and salt”
The UN World Food Programme said the trucks were heading to Kadugli and were clearly marked with WFP banners and flags when they were hit outside the city of Dilling.
WFP strongly condemned the attack and urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law by protecting civilians, humanitarian personnel and humanitarian assets.
The IDN-InDepthNews situation report said the UN’s $2.9 billion appeal is only 41% funded as a worsening cholera outbreak drives further displacement, with more than 2,600 cholera cases reported at the beginning of August and broader Kordofan identified as the epicentre.
Condemnation and competing blame
WFP said the incident was the latest example of the complex operating environment facing it and other humanitarian agencies in Sudan, and it called the attack “unacceptable” while urging all sides to uphold international humanitarian law.
In a statement, WFP said: “Attacks on aid workers and humanitarian operations are unacceptable and must stop,” and it urged all parties to protect civilians, aid workers and humanitarian assets.
Europa Press reported that Sudan Doctors Network pointed directly to the RSF as responsible for the attack and stated that the incident resulted in one death, a claim not confirmed by WFP.
Europa Press also described WFP as having “strongly condemned” the incident without directly pointing to those responsible, saying the trucks were headed to Kadugli “clearly marked with flags and emblems of the WFP.”
Dialogue protections and aid strain
Beyond the attack, Sudan’s authorities approved legal protections for people taking part in a national dialogue announced by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chair of the Sovereignty Council, earlier in August.
“announced by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chair of the Sovereignty Council”
The protection includes suspension of criminal proceedings of persons who are participating in the dialogue and preventing prosecution for political views expressed during discussions.
IDN-InDepthNews said the worsening cholera outbreak is driving further displacement in Sudan while humanitarian agencies struggle to respond because the UN’s $2.9 billion appeal is only 41% funded.
The same situation report said an air strike destroyed the WFP trucks on 30 August carrying 50 metric tonnes of food to support 5,800 people for a month in South Kordofan, underscoring how humanitarian operations are being disrupted as the conflict continues.