Two key international aid organizations, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International and the UN World Food Programme (WFP), have been forced to halt operations in Sudan following looting of their facilities amid escalating conflicts involving paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan’s army.
The organizations have voiced serious concerns regarding the rapidly worsening security situation and its likely impact on Sudan’s vulnerable citizenry. MSF recently reported that armed individuals had attacked their compound in Wad Madani, seizing two vehicles along with various other valuable items. In response, MSF has opted to suspend all medical activities in the area and has evacuated staff to safer locations within Sudan and neighboring countries.
The looting and subsequent suspension have drastically limited access to healthcare and essential medicines for the local population, significantly exacerbating an already complex situation. The WFP, which also suffered at the hands of looters as the RSF took control of Wad Madani, similarly had to suspend operations. Their Gezira State warehouse, which housed essential food supplies intended for nearly 1.5 million severely food insecure individuals, was broken into and emptied.
Following these incidents, both MSF and WFP strongly condemned the looting. They underlined the RSF’s responsibility to protect civilians and respect the neutrality of medical facilities and humanitarian aid. Furthermore, they called upon the RSF to diligently ensure safe access to healthcare services and ensure the protection of humanitarian staff and premises in areas under their control.
Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis is a consequence of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, as well as widespread violence and economic decline. According to the latest report from IPC Acute Food Insecurity, approximately 37 percent of the analyzed population, or 17.7 million people, faced a high level of acute food insecurity from October 2023 until February 2024. The situation is further worsened by movement restrictions, sieges, and mass displacement, ultimately leading to a severe strain on already limited resources.
Full details of these latest developments can be found in the full report here.