WFP warns Sudan aid at risk after expulsion of top officials amid worsening hunger
WFP warned that the expulsions come at a critical moment for Sudan, where over 24 million people face acute food insecurity.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has raised concerns over Sudan's sudden expulsion of two of its senior officials, seeking clarification for the decision that orders them to leave within 72 hours and warning that it could disrupt aid operations in the country facing severe food shortages, amid escalating insecurity.
Laurent Bukera, head of the WFP office in Sudan, and Samantha Chattaraj, the agency's operations director, were notified of the decision on Tuesday by Sudan's Foreign Ministry, which failed to provide a reason behind it.
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In a statement on Wednesday, WFP warned that the expulsions come at a critical moment for Sudan, where over 24 million people face acute food insecurity.
"WFP and humanitarian partners have made hard-won progress in recent months, scaling up assistance to reach more than four million people monthly, and helping to push back extreme hunger conditions in the world's largest and most complex humanitarian crisis," said the agency in the statement.
"At a moment when WFP and its partners need to be expanding their reach, this decision forces WFP to implement unplanned leadership changes, jeopardising operations that support millions of vulnerable Sudanese facing extreme hunger, malnutrition, and even starvation."
WFP added that UN officials are engaging with Sudanese authorities to protest the decision and call for clarity, urging all parties to prioritise the well-being and survival of those dependent on emergency food and nutrition assistance.
"WFP remains unwavering in its commitment to ensure that the people of Sudan can access vital assistance during this period of unprecedented hunger, insecurity and humanitarian needs," the agency said.
The expulsions come as heavy clashes continue in El-Fasher, North Darfur, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of the city after government troops pulled back following relentless assaults.
According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), RSF fighters have been carrying out grave abuses in El-Fasher, including summary executions of civilians trying to flee the city and of former combatants who had surrendered.
According to the agency, some of the killings appear to be ethnically motivated, warning that such actions amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The UN rights office added that hundreds of civilians were allegedly arrested while attempting to escape the city. It also reported that recent intense shelling had killed humanitarian workers from the local community.
Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has claimed thousands of lives and forced more than 15 million people to flee their homes, making it one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.
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