The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, has condemned the killing of an aid worker in Budi, Eastern Equatoria, as attacks on aid workers increase in parts of the country.
In a statement today, Noudéhou also called on authorities and communities to ensure that humanitarian personnel can move safely along roads and deliver assistance to the most vulnerable people.
According to the statement, an aid worker was killed when criminals fired at a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle on May 12, 2021. The vehicle was part of a team of international non-governmental organizations and South Sudanese government health workers traveling from Chukudum to a health facility in Kapoeta, Budi County.
“I am shocked by this violent act and send my condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. The roads are a vital connection between humanitarian organizations and communities in need, and we must be able to move safely across the country without fear. I call on the Government to strengthen law enforcement along these roads,” he said.
This is the first aid worker killed in South Sudan in 2021. In 2020, nine aid workers were killed.
On Monday, Noudéhou condemned an attack on humanitarian workers in Renk, Upper Nile. Similar attacks were reported barely two weeks ago in Torit, Eastern Equatoria, and Jamjang, Ruweng Administrative Area. The Humanitarian Coordinator said that a continuation of these violent incidents would make it impossible for humanitarians to carry out their work for vulnerable people.