UN says 17,000 metric tons of food looted in conflict-hit Sudan

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The UN said Wednesday that nearly 17,000 metric tons (18,700 tons) of food have been looted in Sudan.

The conflict-hot African nation has been engulfed by violence for weeks with fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

The World Food Program (WFP) had more than 80,000 metric tons of food in Sudan before fighting broke out April 15.

Toby Harward, principal situation coordinator in Darfur for the UN refugee agency, said uncontrolled forces, militias, bandits and criminals were behind the looting.

Harward said the UN is in contact with authorities to move supplies to safer areas.

''I'm confident that we will save whatever we can,'' he said. ''Through this humanitarian crisis, strengthening a rule of law capacities within Sudan, particularly in Darfur, will be absolutely essential.''