The UN chief condemned on Wednesday the looting and attacks against United Nations facilities, equipment and supplies gifted to the Sudanese authorities for civilian in El Fasher, Darfur.
Last Tuesday evening, a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse located in the Borsa area of El Fasher town, the capital of North Darfur State, came under attack from unknown armed groups.
Over 1,900 metric tons of food commodities that were meant to feed 730,000 vulnerable people for a month were stolen.
The incident followed the looting and reported violence last week at the former UN-African Union Hybrid Operation (UNAMID) base in El Fasher.
Restore order
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In his statement, Secretary-General António Guterres called upon the Government of Sudan to restore order.
He stressed that the authorities must ensure that former UNAMID property and assets are strictly used for civilians – in conformity with the Framework Agreement the Government signed in March.
The UN chief also asked the Sudanese authorities to facilitate the safe working environment and passage for remaining UN operations in the region.
He concluded by thanking the UN civilian and uniformed personnel who remain on the ground under “challenging” circumstances.
WFP cuts off aid
WFP chief David Beasley tweeted his outrage over the “senseless attacks” in El Fasher and strongly condemned the continued looting and destruction of the agency’s assets.
“As a result, we have been forced to suspend WFP operations in North Darfur, effective immediately”, said Mr. Beasly.
The theft has robbed nearly two million Sudanese of the food and nutritional support they so desperately need.
“Not only is this a tremendous setback to WFP operations, but it endangers our staff and jeopardizes our ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable families”, he added.
Humanitarian crisis
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Khardiata Lo N’diaye, also condemned the looting.
“This was food assistance meant for Sudan’s most vulnerable people. Humanitarian assistance should never be a target”, she underscored.
Currently, one in three people in Sudan needs humanitarian assistance – equivalent to an estimated 14.3 million individuals.
According to the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan, 25 per cent of those people require food security and livelihoods support.
An attack like this, the coordinator explained, severely impedes the ability to deliver to the people who need it the most.
“We urgently ask all parties to adhere to humanitarian principles and allow the safe delivery of life-saving assistance”, Ms. N’diaye stated.
WFP currently faces “unprecedented” funding shortfalls, estimated at $358 million.
Violence
Earlier in the month, thousands of people took to the streets to mark the third anniversary of the uprising that led to the April 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled for three decades.
UNAMID troops on patrol in North Darfur., by UNAMID/Hamid Abdulsalam
Demonstrators who made for the presidential palace were also protesting October’s military coup and the political agreement signed later on 21 November.
UN officials and agencies expressed deep concern at the time over credible reports of serious human rights violations, including the use of rape and gang rape of women and girls, employed to disperse protesters.
As of 29 December, the security situation had been restored, according to State authorities.
Ms. N’diaye thanked the local authorities for preventing the situation from worsening but called upon the Government to step up efforts to protect and safeguard humanitarian premises and assets.
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
I believe that the looting and attacks in Darfur are unacceptable. It is crucial for the authorities to restore order and ensure that the stolen supplies are used for civilians in need. The Government of Sudan must take immediate action to protect the vulnerable population and uphold the agreements in place to support them.
Why are the attacks on humanitarian aid worsening in Darfur? What measures are being taken to address this escalating crisis?
The situation in Darfur is indeed alarming. The recent attacks on humanitarian aid facilities are unacceptable. The Secretary-General’s call for restoring order and ensuring the proper use of aid resources is crucial in addressing this escalating crisis.
It is truly disheartening to hear about the chaos in Darfur. The looting and attacks on the United Nations facilities are appalling. The government of Sudan must restore order and ensure that the aid reaches the vulnerable population it was intended for. I hope the situation improves soon.
As an avid follower of global affairs, I find it deeply concerning to hear about the chaos in Darfur. The looting and attacks on UN facilities are completely unacceptable. It’s crucial for the authorities to restore order and ensure that the resources meant for civilians are protected. My thoughts go out to the vulnerable people affected by these events.
Why are the attacks on UN facilities in Darfur escalating? Is there any indication of who might be behind these thefts and violence?
Hey Jessica123, the situation in Darfur is complex and unfortunately, there are many armed groups with differing motivations. It’s crucial for the government to take action to restore order and protect civilians. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to these disturbing events.
Isn’t it heartbreaking to see such chaos and theft affecting aid meant for the vulnerable populations in Darfur?
It is indeed saddening to witness the turmoil and theft impacting aid designated for the vulnerable populations in Darfur. We must stand united to address these challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of those in need.
It is truly disheartening to see the chaos and violence unfolding in Darfur. The looting and attacks against UN facilities only exacerbate the suffering of the already vulnerable population. The Government of Sudan must take immediate action to restore order and safeguard the well-being of civilians. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to this crisis.
Why are unknown armed groups targeting humanitarian aid warehouses in Darfur? What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of aid operations for the vulnerable population?
It is truly disheartening to see the chaos unfolding in Darfur. The looting and attacks on UN facilities disrupt essential aid operations, leaving over 730,000 people without enough to eat. The Government of Sudan must act swiftly to restore order and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need. The international community must also step in to support the safe continuation of UN operations in the region.
Why are there continuous attacks on UN facilities in Darfur? What steps can be taken to improve the situation and ensure the safety of aid supplies?