World Vision statement on the attacks on critical infrastructure in Sudan
World Vision is warning that multiple drone attacks on the humanitarian hub of Port Sudan, Kassala and Nyala in Sudan is hampering efforts to meet the life-saving needs of millions of people, including vulnerable children, caught in conflict and must stop.
These cities have been targeted over at least four consecutive days, with strikes hitting critical infrastructure such as the airports, seaport, fuel storage facilities, and the power network.
These attacks further undermine the safety of aid organizations, with Port Sudan where the national office of World Vision is located now no longer considered a safe haven. This has heightened the risks to our staff and operations in the country.
Port Sudan is home to key UN and numerous humanitarian agencies, many having relocated there following the outbreak of conflict in the capital Khartoum in April 2023, which then spread to the rest of the country. Port Sudan is a distribution hub for food and other emergency supplies to other parts of the country. It was considered safe until the attacks. The airport, which was the entry route for aid and humanitarian workers, was significantly damaged, and flights are still severely disrupted.
More than 30 million people across Sudan — over half of the population —in need of humanitarian assistance, with 24.6 million people facing acute hunger classified as IPC 3+ (an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification), an increasing risk of sexual violence on women and girls and mental health needs are creating one of the world’s most severe — and most neglected — humanitarian emergencies. Unprecedented hunger threatens to push 600,000 people into catastrophic condition within days or weeks if urgent action is not taken.
Quote from Simon Mane, Country Director, World Vision Sudan: “These attacks on Port Sudan, Kassala and Nyala – and indeed any attacks on civilian infrastructure – hamper our ability to respond to the immense and urgent needs that Sudanese children and families are facing. We echo the call of the UN for a peaceful resolution to this conflict and call on all parties to allow us safe and continuing access to people in desperate need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. We also urge the international community to take decisive action through influence, diplomacy and resources to end this conflict, to protect children and all civilians.”
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
As one of the largest humanitarian organizations, and despite the current complexity of the security situation, World Vision has decided to remain on the ground to maintain its assistance operations for children and their families through the sectors of food assistance, WASH, Protection, Livelihoods and Education, while remaining vigilant in respecting humanitarian principles.
For more information contact:
Grace Mavhezha, Communications and Public Engagement Manager, grace_mavhezha@wvi.org
Jennifer Watson, Regional Communications and Public Engagement Director, Jennifer_watson@wvi.org