Exclusive: WFP launches probe into its Sudan operations as famine spreads reut.rs/3Xmv9S8

"More than half a dozen humanitarians and diplomats told Reuters they are worried that mismanagement at the heart of the WFP’s Sudan office could have contributed to the failure so far to deliver enough aid during the war between Sudan’s army & the RSF" x.com/giuliaparavici…

The UN World Food Program is investigating two of its top officials in Sudan over allegations including fraud and concealing information from donors about its ability to deliver food aid to civilians amid the nation’s dire hunger crisis reut.rs/3YXFLbt 1/9

The investigation by the WFP’s Office of the Inspector General comes as the UN’s food-aid arm is struggling to feed millions of people in war-plagued Sudan, now suffering one of the world’s most severe food shortages in years 2/9

As part of the probe, investigators are looking at whether WFP staff sought to hide the alleged role of Sudan’s army in obstructing aid amid a brutal 16-month war with a rival paramilitary for control of the country, according to five of the sources who spoke to Reuters 3/9

The investigation comes at a critical time for the WFP, which describes itself as the world’s largest humanitarian organization. It won the 2020 Nobel peace prize for its role in combating hunger and promoting peace 4/9

The WFP is battling severe hunger on many fronts. It is seeking $22.7 billion in funding to reach 157 million people, including some 1.3 million on the brink of famine, mostly in Sudan and Gaza, but also in countries such as South Sudan and Mali 5/9

In recent years, however, its operations have been rocked by diversion and theft of aid in countries including Somalia and Yemen. The WFP and USAID last year temporarily suspended food distribution to Ethiopia following reports of the widespread stealing of food aid there 6/9

Humanitarians and diplomats told Reuters they are worried that mismanagement at WFP’s Sudan office could have contributed to the failure to deliver enough aid during the war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary RSF. The conflict has been raging for more than 16 months 7/9

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"The investigation of the WFP’s Sudan office comes as the U.N.’s food-aid arm is struggling to feed millions of people in war-plagued Sudan, now suffering one of the world’s most severe food shortages in years." Scoop by giulia paravicini Maggie Michael

Major food-aid thefts: Donated grain was funneled to the Ethiopian and Tigrayan armies and black marketeers, US officials say. Reuters learned the UN World Food Program — aware of the problem — repeatedly failed to act reut.rs/3BQAzMW giulia paravicini Steve Stecklow

Must-read piece on massive theft of World Food Programme-supplied food aid during Ethiopia's civil war at a time when millions of people were starving. The food went to feed soldiers on both sides, a USAID investigation found. Worst of all: no one has been held accountable. Pix by Tiksa Negeri

UN's World Food Program failed to act as US aid was looted in Ethiopia. New investigation from giulia paravicini Steve Stecklow reuters.com/investigates/s… via @SpecialReports

Phenomenal reporting and important work here from giulia paravicini and Reuters team: One of the largest thefts of food aid ever documented in Ethiopia And UN World Food Program officials may have known about it for years and failed to act reuters.com/investigates/s…

Great scoop by giulia paravicini Exclusive: World Food Program’s troubles in Sudan hurt hunger relief, alienated donors - internal report - reuters.com/world/africa/w…

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A Sudanese coalition led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Saturday a parallel government, a move fiercely opposed by the army that could drive the country further towards partition as a two-year-old civil war rages. reuters.com/world/africa/s…