Three Employees Died, WFP Demands Investigation Of The Impact Of Bombing In Sudan

JAKARTA - The World Food Program (WFP) on Friday (20/12) demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic deaths of three of their employees following airstrikes regarding the agency's field office in Yabus, the state of Blue Nile, Sudan.

Quoting Antara, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain condemned the attack on Thursday (19/12) that killed the head of the field office, a fellow program and security guard.

"I demand a thorough investigation and that the perpetrators be held accountable," he said.

"The unnecessary death of our team members is another reminder of the risks humanitarian workers face in conflict situations and a complex operating environment like Sudan," McCain added.

They are carrying out a "frontline rescue task in one of the world's largest hunger crises", McCain said, stressing that one of the employees died on the spot, while the other two eventually died from injuries sustained while undergoing medical treatment.

McCain stressed how serious the situation was, he said that humanitarian workers should not be targeted.

"Every loss of life in humanitarian duty is unacceptable. Humanitarian workers should not be targeted," he stressed, pointing to an alarming increase in the number of deaths among humanitarian workers by 2024.

The WFP has also confirmed that other staff members in Sudan are in safe condition.

However, McCain confirmed that the WFP will continue its program to deliver aid across Sudan, including the state of Blue Nile.

According to him, currently WFP urges an investigation of the situation surrounding the bombing and asks the perpetrators to take responsibility.

McCain urged world leaders to advocate protection for dedicated women and men as they risk their own lives to provide life-saving aid to others.