A humanitarian convoy carrying critical aid for famine-stricken North Darfur was attacked Monday night, killing five aid workers and injuring several others.
The convoy, operated by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, was delivering life-saving nutritional supplies to displaced communities when it was ambushed 80 kilometres from El Fasher.
The United Nations condemned the attack, calling it a horrendous violation of humanitarian law. The convoy had travelled over 1,800 kilometres from Port Sudan, a region itself suffering from drone strikes.
The attack underscores the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where over nine million people have been displaced by a two-year conflict. El Fasher, a key city in North Darfur, has been cut off from aid for over a year, exacerbating famine conditions.
In April, the city and the Zamzam displacement camp were attacked, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee.
The convoy was expected to be the first aid delivery to reach El Fasher in over a year, but the assault has further delayed relief efforts.
This latest attack is part of a broader pattern of violence targeting humanitarian operations.
Just last week, WFP premises in El Fasher were bombed, damaging critical infrastructure, while an international hospital in Al Obeid suffered a deadly drone strike.
The United Nations and aid agencies have called for an immediate end to attacks on humanitarian personnel and infrastructure, warning that continued violence will worsen famine and disease outbreaks across Sudan.
The international community is being urged to take action to protect aid workers and ensure safe passage for relief efforts.
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