WFP deplores Lanao ambush-slay

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has deplored the ambush-slay of the assistant of the driver of a truck it had contracted in Lanao del Sur last Sunday night.

WFP country director and representative Stephen Anderson said the WFP is working with all concerned government agencies to investigate the ambush in Barangay Inoma, Calanogas town.

“The WFP strongly deplores the senseless loss of life of an individual who was assisting in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The WFP will share more information as it is made available to us by the concerned government authorities,” Anderson said in a statement.

The WFP has been providing food support to people displaced by the conflict in Mindanao since 2006, with a minimum of security incidents.

“Delivering emergency food assistance in a conflict zone is beset with risks that are unfortunately well known to the WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian agency working in 80 countries worldwide,” Anderson said.

“The WFP strives to continuously ensure the safety and security of all our staff, including all contracted staff, in order to reach difficult to access areas,” he added.