Khartoum, October 05 (Darfur24)
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Sunday that a driver was killed when an airstrike hit two trucks contracted to transport food aid in South Kordofan State.
The WFP said in a statement that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, October 3, targeting the two trucks as they traveled from Dilling to Kadugli, despite being clearly marked as humanitarian vehicles.
The agency called for a swift and impartial investigation and urged that those responsible for any violations be held accountable.
The attack came a day after another WFP truck was hit by an explosive device in Dilling after completing the delivery of life-saving food assistance.
The WFP urged all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure the safe and unhindered movement of humanitarian workers and relief supplies.
The agency said the incidents underscore the increasingly dangerous security environment in Sudan and the risks faced by humanitarian workers delivering assistance to communities affected by the war.
Separately, Abdul-Baqi Mohamed Hamid, director of social welfare and humanitarian aid coordinator in the Darfur Regional Government, accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of detaining 32 WFP trucks carrying humanitarian aid and demanding money for their release.
Abdul-Baqi said in a press statement that the trucks were part of a convoy carrying food supplies to thousands of families affected by the war in North Darfur.
He said a convoy of 60 trucks entered through the Al-Tina border crossing last week, carrying food supplies for Kabkabiya, Al-Sereif, Kutum, Al-Tina, Karnoi, Ambro, Mellit, Al-Sayyah and Sartoni.
According to Abdul-Baqi, 16 trucks were distributed in Mellit and Al-Sayyah before the RSF intercepted the remaining 44 trucks in Kutum locality and forcibly took them to El Fasher.
He said that after three days of detention, 12 trucks were released, while 32 remained in custody after “huge sums of money” were allegedly demanded for their release.