Five killed and several injured after attack on UN aid convoy in Sudan
Five people have been killed and several more injured after an attack on an aid convoy in the Sudanese region of North Darfur.
The number of dead was revealed in a statement from the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF on Tuesday.
Earlier, it was reported that a UN convoy delivering food to El Fasher, North Darfur came under attack overnight, with initial reports indicating there had been "multiple casualties".
According to the joint statement, the convoy of 15 trucks had travelled 1,120 miles from Port Sudan - and was trying to negotiate access to El Fasher when it was targeted on Monday night.
"Multiple trucks were burned and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged," in addition to the deaths and injuries, the statement said.
Aid deliveries have regularly been caught in the crossfire of the two-year war between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, leaving more than half the Sudanese population facing acute levels of hunger.
Last week, WFP premises in El Fasher were targeted, damaging a workshop, office building, and clinic.
Several medics were killed in a separate attack on El Obeid hospital in North Kordogan last month.
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The joint WFP-UNICEF statement reads: "The WFP and UNICEF condemn an attack on a joint humanitarian convoy near Al Koma, North Darfur, last night.
"Following months of escalating violence, hundreds of thousands of people in El Fasher - many of them children - are at high risk of malnutrition and starvation if supplies do not urgently reach them.
"As is standard with our humanitarian convoys, the route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks.
"Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
"Both agencies demand an immediate end to attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles - a violation under international humanitarian law."
Humanitarian attacks continuing 'with impunity'
The two agencies called for an "urgent investigation" into the incident and for the "perpetrators to be held to account".
They offered their condolences to the families of those killed and their "heartfelt sympathy and support to all those injured".
"It is devastating that the supplies have not reached the vulnerable children and families they were intended to," the joint statement concluded.
"Attacks on humanitarian staff, aid, operations, as well as civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan have continued for far too long with impunity.
"WFP and UNICEF colleagues remain on the ground despite the insecurity, but call for safe, secure operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties. The lives of millions in Sudan, including in locations like El Fasher in Darfur, depend on it."
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