Khartoum, May 8 (Darfur24) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the looting of the main compound of the World Food Program in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, over the weekend.
A press release issued by the UN spokesperson stated that the looting is the latest violation of UN humanitarian facilities since the beginning of the crisis, which is entering its fourth week after fighting broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces on the 15th of April.
The statement said that most, though not all, of the UN’s humanitarian agencies and aid partners have been affected by the widespread looting.
The UNSecretary-General reiterates the need for the parties to protect and respect relief workers and humanitarian facilities, including hospitals.
The statement stressed the need to protect civilians and their infrastructure in order to save lives. “The needs of the Sudanese people, who are caught in a humanitarian catastrophe, must come first,” he added.
The World Food Program expects that the number of people suffering from acute food insecurity in Sudan will increase by about two million and five hundred thousand people, bringing the total number to 19 million within a period ranging between 3 and 6 months, if the conflict continues.