Overview and Background

On Monday night, five aid workers were killed in an attack on a United Nations convoy in Sudan, according to UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). The incident occurred near the town of Koma in North Darfur, which is controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The convoy, consisting of 15 trucks, was en route to el-Fasher, a city that has been under siege since 2024. This delivery was significant as it marked the first UN humanitarian convoy to reach el-Fasher in over a year, aiming to provide aid to approximately 100,000 people facing starvation.

The attack resulted in several injuries, the destruction of multiple trucks, and damage to critical humanitarian supplies. Both UNICEF and WFP condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law and called for an investigation. The UN confirmed that the victims were Sudanese contractors working for the agencies.

Key Findings

• Five aid workers were killed, and several others were injured in the attack on the convoy.
• The convoy had traveled over 1,800 kilometers from Port Sudan and was carrying about 1,100 tons of aid.
• The RSF and Sudanese military traded accusations regarding responsibility for the attack.
• Since the conflict began in 2023, over 13 million people have been displaced, with Sudan experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"It is devastating that the supplies have not reached the vulnerable children and families they were intended to," UNICEF and WFP stated.

The ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military has created dire conditions, leading to widespread famine and displacement. The UN has described the humanitarian situation in Sudan as critical, with millions on the brink of starvation. The attack highlights the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the region as they strive to deliver essential aid to those in need.