Today's top news: Sudan

Sudan

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths says he is horrified by the deaths of humanitarian workers, including three World Food Programme staff members. He is also disturbed by reports of large-scale looting of aid and damage to humanitarian facilities.

The hostilities will only hamper our humanitarian response efforts – at a time when needs are at an all-time high in Sudan.

Nearly one third of the population, or almost 16 million people – were in need of humanitarian aid at the start of this year, with some 3.7 million people displaced within the country.

Unfortunately, we have been forced to temporarily halt much of our programming due to the fighting. Ten UN agencies and more than 80 non-governmental organizations have been running more than 250 programmes in the country.

We currently have no access into or out of Sudan. Crossfire at Khartoum airport also reportedly damaged a UN Humanitarian Air Service plane – which could seriously impact our ability to access remote parts of Sudan where needs are highest.

It is crucial that the fighting stop so that we can resume efforts to help those in need.