The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended all activities in Upper Nile State’s Baliet County until the safety and security of its staff, partners, and contractors is assured and the Government of South Sudan has taken immediate measures to recover stolen commodities.
A Wednesday press release extended to Radio Tamazuj strongly condemned the recent attacks on a WFP river convoy in Upper Nile State over the weekend.
“Between 30 January and 1 February, a 12-boat WFP convoy transporting over 1,500 metric tons of vital food assistance was attacked multiple times by armed youth,” the statement reads in part. “The cargo, which also included non-food items being transported on behalf of partners, was then looted by the community in various locations within Baliet County.”
“Despite receiving security assurances and guarantees from authorities for safe humanitarian movement, the looting occurred overnight without security intervention by the County authority,” the statement added.
WFP said attacks on humanitarians are never acceptable and strongly urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect the critical role of humanitarian workers and to safeguard the facilities and resources that are indispensable for providing humanitarian assistance.
“WFP is also deeply concerned about recent incidents in Jonglei State where vital humanitarian infrastructure was severely impacted by armed conflict between government forces and opposition groups,” the statement said. “Essential infrastructure, including warehouses and health facilities, has been destroyed in various incidents in Akobo, Ayod, Nyirol, and Uror.”
“Access constraints and brazen attacks on humanitarian convoys threaten to jeopardise WFP’s ability to reach more than 4.2 million of the most vulnerable women, men, and children. Insecurity has already forced WFP to pause its plan to preposition 12,000 metric tons of food ahead of the rainy season in Jonglei State,” WFP added.
The statement said WFP’s operations in South Sudan provide life-saving emergency food, nutrition, school meals, resilience, and cash-based assistance in the country.