Sudan unrest: UN food agency suspends operations

The World Food Programme temporarily halts humanitarian work in Sudan after three staff were killed.

The World Food Programme temporarily halts humanitarian work in Sudan after three staff were killed.

The deaths happened during violence in Kabkabiya in North Darfur State and two other workers were injured.

The UN food agency also says one of its planes was damaged at Khartoum International Airport.

Cindy McCain, executive director of the UN’s World Food Programme, says she is “appalled and heartbroken” by the killing of three employees in Sudan’s Darfur region.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, she says two other WFP employees were injured in the same incident.

“Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP’s critical work,” Cindy says.

“We have informed the families of these dedicated team members and stand with them and our entire WFP family at this time of catastrophe,” she adds.

“Any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable and I demand immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain.”

Fighting has entered a second day as a power struggle between Sudan’s army and paramilitaries rages in Khartoum and elsewhere.

The RSF says it controls key sites in the capital but Sudan’s leader – and head of the military – has rejected its claim.

The African Union, Arab states and the US have called for an end to the fighting and a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government.