The World Food Programme (WFP) officially announced the reopening of its country office in Khartoum on Thursday. This move marks the first time the agency has established a permanent presence in the Sudanese capital since its previous headquarters were destroyed during the initial weeks of the civil conflict that began in April 2023.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting between WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau and Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris. The return signifies a major step in the United Nations’ broader strategy to re-establish a stable operational base in the heart of the country as the government works to restore essential services and peace in the capital.
During his visit, Skau noted a visible transformation in the capital’s security and social fabric compared to his previous visit six months ago. He remarked that conditions in Khartoum have shifted significantly, noting increased activity within the city and the fact that the airport is now operational. He observed that people are gradually returning to their homes to begin the difficult work of rebuilding.
The reopening of Khartoum International Airport has been a critical catalyst for this return, with the WFP-managed United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) now operating three flights a week to facilitate the movement of aid workers and essential supplies.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris, who assumed office in 2025 as part of the “Government of Hope,” welcomed the WFP delegation, which included the newly appointed Country Director, Abdallah Al Wardat. Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to removing bureaucratic obstacles and enhancing security cooperation.
The Prime Minister stated that the government is dedicated to eliminating any barriers that hinder humanitarian duties, emphasizing that the partnership with the WFP is vital for reaching the millions of Sudanese citizens still caught in the crossfire of the ongoing national crisis.
While the return to Khartoum provides a strategic victory, the humanitarian outlook remains dire. Sudan continues to grapple with what the UN describes as the world’s largest hunger crisis, with 19 million people currently facing acute food insecurity nationwide.
Although the WFP successfully reached 12 million people with aid last year, officials warned that current food supplies are depleting rapidly and are expected to run out within the coming weeks.
To combat this, the WFP has issued an urgent appeal for $600 million in new funding to sustain life-saving operations over the next six months. The agency warned that without these resources, the fragile gains made in preventing full-scale famine in regions like Darfur and Kordofan could be lost. As the WFP resumes operations from its Khartoum office, its focus has shifted from logistical re-entry to a race against time, aiming to expand its reach to malnourished mothers and children—provided the international community can bridge the massive funding gap.
