Relief and development organizations (NGOs) working in South Sudan complained today that they are increasingly targeted in robberies, resulting in loss of valuable assets that compromise their ability to deliver assistance to needy people in other parts of the country.

"We call on the South Sudan authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of NGO staff and assets in Juba and elsewhere in South Sudan," reads a statement today by the South Sudan NGO Forum.

The coordinating body said that since April there has been a rise in compound robberies "targeting NGO compounds," particularly around Tomping area and parts of Hai Cinema and Hai Malakal neighbourhoods, with a significant escalation of incidents in July and August.

According to NGO Forum, there have been at least 37 compound robberies over the last three months, which means that roughly every three days one organization was robbed.

"In light of these developments, NGOs have growing concerns about safety of their staff. In addition, the loss of valuable assets compromises NGOs’ operational ability and affects the delivery of much needed humanitarian and developmental assistance across the country."

The statement comes after the killing of an aid worker, Rombek Paul Mori, in an armed robbery at the ACF office compound last Thursday.