By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed outrage over the killing of three World Food Program (WFP) staff in Sudan and called for a “thorough investigation.”
"The Secretary-General is outraged by the killing of three World Food Programme staff members in Sudan on 19 December, when the agency’s field office in Yarbus, in Blue Nile State, was hit by aerial bombardment," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on behalf of Guterres.
Conveying "deepest condolences to the families of the victims and their WFP colleagues," the statement said: "The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN and aid personnel and facilities. He calls for a thorough investigation."
It further underscored the "devastating toll that Sudan’s brutal conflict is having on millions of people in need and the humanitarians trying to reach them with life-saving assistance.”
"2024 is the deadliest year on record for aid workers in Sudan. Yet despite significant threats to their personal safety, they continue to do all they can to provide vital support wherever it is needed," the statement said.
Guterres called on all sides to obey "their obligations to protect civilians, including aid personnel, as well as humanitarian premises and supplies,” it said, adding: "Attacks must not be directed against them and all feasible precautions must be taken to avoid harming them."
"After more than 20 months of conflict in Sudan, the Secretary-General once again stresses the need for an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations will continue to back international mediation efforts and work with all relevant stakeholders to help bring an end to the war," the statement said.
UN relief chief, Tom Fletcher, also condemned the killing of WFP personnel in Sudan.
"I’m furious at the killing of our humanitarian colleagues. We need accountability and protection. My sincere condolences to the families and friends grieving, to WFP chief (Cindy McCain) and to all at WFP," he wrote on X.
He described 2024 as the "worst year" for humanitarians and said it "just got even worse."