Three truck drivers for the World Food Programme (WFP) have been shot dead while working for the United Nations food agency in Darfur, according to a WFP news release issued today.
All three men worked for the Abbarci trucking company. They were among about 2,000 contract drivers and drivers’ assistants working for the WFP in Darfur.
“WFP is deeply saddened and shocked by the killings of these brave men, who knew the dangers they were facing but continued to work tirelessly to alleviate suffering and bring food to the hungry in Darfur,” said Kenro Oshidari, the WFP Sudan representative.
Two of the men died on October 16 while returning to the city of El Obeid in South Darfur state after delivering supplies. They were killed on the road between the town of Ed Daien and El Obeid. Ten African Union peacekeepers were recently killed in the same area.
The third man died on October 12, during the Muslim holiday of Eid. He was travelling in South Darfur, on the road between Nyala, the capital, and El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. About 25 bags of grain were looted at the same time.
