Statement by Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust on WFPs Country Director and Emergency Coordinator being expelled from Sudan

News story | Date: 30/10/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

'I am deeply concerned about the news that WFPs top management in Sudan has been asked to leave the country during an ongoing famine and just as humanitarian needs spike due to the ongoing violence in El Fasher', said Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust.

'The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, functioning both as a first responder and as a provider of last resort. As part of the UN system and leader of both the food security cluster, telecommunications cluster and logistics cluster, WFP is not only delivering life-saving food and nutrition to people in need, but is also a key enabler for the entire humanitarian community.

'The conflict in Sudan has led to the world's largest humanitarian disaster, with widespread hunger and pockets of famine in parts of the country. In this situation the humanitarian organisations must be at their most active and ready to deliver at maximum capacity. A sudden change in leadership at such a crucial time is likely to significantly affect the operational capacity of the main provider of food assistance to millions of starving civilians in Sudan.

'Norway has increased its humanitarian support to Sudan as a consequence of the conflict, and is a donor and partner of the World Food Programme. We call on the parties to facilitate humanitarian access and the work of humanitarian agencies in this difficult time for the civilians of Sudan', said Aukrust.