An airstrike on a World Food Programme (WFP) field office in Sudan’s Blue Nile region has claimed the lives of three employees, sparking widespread condemnation. The attack, which occurred yesterday, targeted an office in Yabus, near the Ethiopian-Sudanese border.
The WFP confirmed the deaths on social media, stating that investigations are underway to identify those responsible. According to local reports, the victims included one international staff member and two Sudanese employees.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain expressed her grief in a statement today:
“I am shocked and heartbroken by this tragedy. Among those killed were the head of our field office, a programme associate, and a security guard, all of whom were committed to saving lives amidst one of the world’s largest hunger crises. Their loss underscores the grave dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones like Sudan.”
The airstrike has also drawn attention to the volatile Yabus area, a known stronghold of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) faction led by Abdelaziz El Hilu. The group’s deputy leader, Joseph Tuka, oversees operations in the region.
Global Reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, expressed outrage over the incident.
“The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN personnel and facilities. He demands a thorough investigation and commends the resilience of humanitarian workers operating under such dangerous conditions. This year has been the deadliest on record for aid workers in Sudan,” the statement read.
