Sudan: Air Attack Destroys Food Aid for Families in South Kordofan

In South Kordofan state, Sudan, a massive shipment of food aid destined for vulnerable families was brutally destroyed in an aerial attack over the weekend, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The attack took place just outside the city of Dilling on August 30th, targeting two aid trucks carrying 50 metric tonnes of essential supplies.

These supplies included cereals, yellow split peas, vegetable oil, and salt - enough to provide critical aid to 5,800 people for a full month. The trucks were clearly marked with WFP's distinctive banners and flags, indicating their humanitarian purpose. WFP described the attack as the most recent example of the challenging operating environment faced by humanitarian agencies in Sudan.

The United Nations has consistently called for an end to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023. As a result of this conflict, approximately 30 million people required humanitarian assistance in the previous year. Since January, WFP has documented eight aerial attacks that have damaged its facilities and impeded operations.

WFP strongly condemned this attack, urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law by protecting civilians, aid workers, and humanitarian assets.