Gabriel Tetreau-Falber
GENEVA (Reuters) – $13 to $14 million worth of food delivered to people in need in Sudan has been looted since fighting broke out last month, the World Food Program (WFP) said. Estimated.
Country director Eddie Lowe, speaking to Reuters from Port Sudan via video link, said looting was rampant in the country, and some reports of WFP supplies being stolen are still confirmed.
“It’s estimated that nearly 17,000 tons were looted, some in warehouses and others on wheels,” Lowe said. Food costs only.We receive reports of additional looting almost daily.”
Rowe’s comments came a day after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths called on Sudan’s militants to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid and staff.
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According to the United Nations, the conflict in Sudan has forced about 100,000 people to flee to neighboring countries and has hampered the delivery of aid in a country where about a third of people already depend on humanitarian assistance. increase.
Lowe said WFP urgently needed to purchase supplies for Sudan.
“We know that if we don’t source the goods now, we will run out of stock in the next couple of months,” he said.
“We are asking donors to see how quickly we can source and provide in these places where there is a window of opportunity and where it is considered relatively safe to provide assistance. We have already started engaging with,” he said.
(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber, Editing by Mark Porter)
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