Humanitarian convoy attack is a violation of International Humanitarian Law
3 June 2025The attack on a joint UN humanitarian convoy near Al Koma, North Darfur on June 2, 2025 is an unacceptable violation of International Humanitarian Law that will have grave consequences for hundreds of thousands of civilians in El Fasher, many of them children, that are facing malnutrition and starvation.
Speaking in Port Sudan, Mohamed Kamal, Country Director for Plan International Sudan said:
“Early reports say the attack claimed 5 lives from the humanitarian convoy – this is an alarming indication of the rapidly deteriorating security situation across Sudan. We are beyond shocked and outraged at how many more of these incidents’ humanitarian workers and civilians across the country will be subjected to.
“Sudan has the highest malnutrition rates in Eastern Africa; there are 4 million children and over 1 million pregnant and breastfeeding women who are acutely malnourished. It is critical that aid reaches those most in need.
“Humanitarian access to Darfur is already severely restricted and the rainy season is fast approaching, which means access to some of these areas will be extremely hard when roads flood. These are areas that already face an alarming level of hunger. This level of inhumanity must be stopped.
“We express our sincerest condolences to the victims of the attack and stand in solidarity with the humanitarian organisations who have lost dear colleagues. Humanitarian workers and aid are not legitimate targets and attacks against them is a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
“The upsurge in attacks across Sudan make it extremely difficult to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to children, girls and their families who have little access to food and medicine. This aid is often their lifeline.
“Today the UN announced that now over 4 million people have fled Sudan to seek safety in surrounding countries. The conflict in Sudan is devastating and has wide reaching implications, beyond its borders.
“We remind all parties to uphold their duties and obligations under International Humanitarian Law including the commitment to safeguarding the transfer all life-saving and humanitarian assistance to the millions of vulnerable people in Sudan.”
Categories: Emergencies