Sudan: World Food Programme Convoy Attacked Near Mellit, Forces De Soutien Rapide Accused

A convoy of the World Food Programme (PAM) was attacked on Wednesday 20 August near Mellit in the Darfour region of western Sudan, with three trucks damaged and on fire while the convoy team members were described as “sains et saufs”.

The attack occurred near the city of Mellit in the state of North Darfur, and the WFP convoy was carrying humanitarian aid with three of the sixteen trucks damaged and burning, according to AFP via a spokesperson cited by Ouest-France.

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Ouest-France also reported that the United States and several allied countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates called for “pauses humanitaires” in Sudan, saying they were “consternés” by the worsening situation in a country ravaged by war and famine.

Since April 2024, Mellit has been controlled by the Forces de soutien rapide (FSR), and Ouest-France said the FSR accused the army of carrying out the attack during an aerial raid while the army did not react immediately.

Ouest-France linked the attack to a broader context in which famine threatens thousands of families and the international community calls for humanitarian pauses as humanitarian workers face access constraints and the UN describes Sudan as facing its worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

The UN News outlet said the World Food Programme (WFP) is forced to cut rations to the bare minimum necessary for survival and urgently needs $700 million to continue its operations through next June.

UN News quoted Ross Smith, Director of Preparedness and Response to Emergencies at WFP, warning: “By the end of March, we will have exhausted our food stocks in Sudan.”

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It added that more than 21 million people are facing 'acute hunger' after more than two years of fighting in Sudan, and it said nearly 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

UN News also reported that 3.7 million children and pregnant or lactating women are suffering from malnutrition, and it said famine has been confirmed in certain regions where humanitarian access is virtually impossible.

In the same report, UN News said WFP continues to provide vital food assistance to about four million people each month, while warning that “These hard-won gains are now at risk of being wiped out,” as Ross Smith urged urgent funding.

Radio Dabanga reported that the WFP said several convoys carrying life-saving food assistance have departed from outside the country and are on their way to Sudan to support the most vulnerable groups.

It said the National Humanitarian Access Commission affiliated with the Sudan Founding Alliance 'Tasees' government extended the registration and accreditation period for international and national organizations until June 13, and it quoted a WFP media-team official saying: “Several convoys belonging to the World Food Programme, carrying life-saving food assistance, are currently heading to Sudan”.

Radio Dabanga also reported that the Sudanese government, in an expanded meeting between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of all United Nations agencies operating in Sudan, warned against dealing with the National Humanitarian Access Commission, describing it as support for a parallel entity and a violation of Sudanese sovereignty.

It further stated that the WFP official renewed the call for humanitarian activities to be allowed to pass without obstacles and for aid workers, facilities, or assets not to be targeted in any way.

Finally, Radio Dabanga said the National Humanitarian Access Commission claimed that 36 out of 43 international organizations operating in the area had responded, alongside around 138 national organizations working within areas controlled by the Government of Peace.