WFP condemns attack on humanitarian convoy in South Sudan
March 27, 2022 (JUBA) – The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has “strongly” condemned a recent attack on a convoy of humanitarian supplies in South Sudan, urging government to bring perpetrators to justice and safeguard safety of their staff and assets.
On 24 March, armed men attacked a commercial convoy of 44 trucks carrying WFP food items between Gadiang and Yuai in Jonglei State.
Three people were killed and another injured during the attack.
“This is completely unacceptable,” said Adeyinka Badejo, acting Country Director for WFP in South Sudan.
“These continued attacks and looting only serve to make humanitarian work increasingly challenging and sabotage life-saving food assistance destined for vulnerable communities. Further attacks on humanitarian convoys will put humanitarian assistance at risk where WFP will be forced to suspend its food assistance in greater Jonglei until there is a conducive environment for humanitarians in the area,” he added.
This is the third attack on a commercial convoy in Jonglei in recent months.
Meanwhile WFP said it has invested considerable efforts to negotiate humanitarian access in hard-to-reach areas to ensure isolated and marginalized people receive the assistance they need.
The agency, however, said is the government’s responsibility to ensure safety and security for the population and the humanitarian community.
“WFP once again calls on the Government to investigate each incident where humanitarian workers and/or cargo have been targeted, including one in March 2022 and one in December 2021,” WFP said in a statement.
It further added, “Only by bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring respect for humanitarian operations will WFP and its partners be able to effectively assist the people of South Sudan”.
More than 70 percent of South Sudan’s population will struggle to survive the peak of the annual ‘lean season’ this year, as the country grapples with unprecedented levels of food insecurity caused by conflict, climate shocks, COVID-19 and rising costs, the UN agency warned early this month.
(ST)