The World Food Programme (WFP) is conducting an investigation into allegations involving senior officials in Sudan, accused of deceit and withholding information from donors about their ability to deliver food aid amidst a severe hunger crisis.
This inquiry coincides with WFP’s efforts to provide food supplies to millions in war-torn Sudan, which faces one of the worst food shortages in years.
According to five sources cited by Reuters, investigators are probing potential concealment by WFP staff of the Sudanese military’s role in obstructing aid during a brutal 16-month conflict against the Rapid Support Forces.
Six sources reported that among those under investigation is Khaled Osman, the deputy director of the WFP in Sudan, who has been assigned to a “temporary mission” outside Sudan, effectively suspending his duties.
The investigation also involves Mohamed Ali, another senior official and director of the WFP office in Kosti, Sudan, concerning the disappearance of over 200,000 liters of the organization’s fuel in the city. Reuters could not confirm whether Ali is still in his position.
Both Osman and Ali declined to comment when contacted by Reuters, referring inquiries to WFP’s media office. In response to a question about the investigation, the WFP stated, “The Office of the Inspector General is conducting an urgent review into allegations of individual misconduct in operations in Sudan,” without elaborating on the nature of the alleged infractions or the status of the employees involved.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in a statement, acknowledged receiving a notification from WFP on August 20 about “possible fraudulent activities affecting WFP’s operations in Sudan.”
USAID, the program’s largest single donor, contributing nearly half of the annual funding, expressed significant concern over the allegations and immediately referred them to its Office of the Inspector General for a comprehensive investigation.
This investigation emerges at a critical time for WFP, described as the world’s largest humanitarian aid organization, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its role in combating hunger and promoting peace. The program is battling acute hunger on multiple fronts, seeking to raise $22.7 billion to aid 157 million people, including about 1.3 million on the brink of famine, primarily in Sudan, Gaza, South Sudan, and Mali.
Besides food distribution, WFP also coordinates and provides logistical support for major emergency responses worldwide in partnership with other humanitarian organizations.
In recent years, WFP operations have faced significant challenges due to theft or misuse of humanitarian aid in countries like Somalia and Yemen. Last year, WFP and USAID suspended food distribution in Ethiopia following reports of widespread theft of humanitarian aid.
