The United Nations condemned the repeated shelling of World Food Program (WFP) facilities in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a briefing Friday that the WFP was “shocked and alarmed” after its premises were hit and damaged in the attacks.
“Humanitarian staff, their assets, operations and supplies should never be a target. This must stop now, especially in places like Sudan, where over 3 million children are suffering from malnutrition,” Dujarric said.
He noted that the WFP confirmed all staff were safe and accounted for.
The agency is working to scale up food and nutrition assistance to reach 7 million people monthly, prioritizing communities facing famine or at imminent risk.
Famine has been confirmed in 10 locations—eight in North Darfur, including Zamzam Camp, and two in the Western Nuba Mountains. Another 17 areas, including parts of Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, Khartoum and Gezira, are at risk.
“The only way forward is an immediate end to hostilities,” Dujarric said.
Separately, the U.N. envoy said the Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was deeply alarmed by a surge in intercommunal violence in Tonj East, Warrap state, fueled by cattle raids and retaliatory attacks.
On May 29, armed youths attacked a community, killing at least 26 civilians, wounding 30 others and burning around 35 homes, displacing thousands.
UNMISS held urgent talks with local officials and community leaders to de-escalate tensions and prevent further mobilization. Peacekeeping patrols have also been increased in the area.
The mission called on communities to end the violence and urged the government to deploy security forces to prevent further retaliation.