WFP says Sudan’s expulsion of officials jeopardises aid operations

October 29, 2025 (ROME) – The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday confirmed the Sudanese decision to expel the head of its office in the country, warning that it jeopardises its operations at a time when millions face starvation.

Sudan’s foreign ministry on Tuesday declared the WFP country director and emergency coordinator “persona non grata” and ordered them to leave within 72 hours without providing an explanation.

“This decision to expel WFP’s Country Director and Emergency Coordinator comes at a pivotal time,” the agency said. “Humanitarian needs in Sudan have never been greater with more than 24 million people facing acute food insecurity and communities impacted by famine.”

The WFP noted that it and its partners had made “hard-won progress” in recent months, scaling up assistance to reach more than four million people a month in what it describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

“At a moment when WFP and its partners need to be expanding their reach, this decision forces WFP to implement unplanned leadership changes, jeopardizing operations that support millions of vulnerable Sudanese facing extreme hunger, malnutrition, and even starvation,” the statement read.

Senior U.N. and WFP officials are engaging with Sudanese authorities to protest the action and seek clarification.

The agency called on all parties to prioritize the lives of millions who depend on emergency food for their survival and said it remained unwavering in its commitment to providing vital assistance.