UN refugee agency says not involved in failed relief convoy to Akobo
June 16, 2009 (JUBA) – The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today made clear that it was not involved in the incident in which 27 barges carrying humanitarian aid to Akobo in South Sudan were ambushed last Friday on the Sobat River.
Armed civilians of the Jikany Nuer fired on the barges, apparently battled with the SPLA soldiers escorting the convoy, and caused several boats to sink. Some boats were looted and others are missing. Since the ambush, UN agencies continue to be unable to supply roughly 19,000 displaced people in Akobo — except by air.
UNHCR issued a press release today referring to an assertion made in a letter from the Community of Nasir County in Juba, reported yesterday in the Sudan Tribune.
The excerpt from the letter of the Nasir community stated: “Other sources which are yet to be confirmed revealed that 18 of these boats were sent by UNHCR.”
Contrary to this assertion, in fact the barges were carrying food for the United Nations World Food Programme and had no connection to UNHCR.
“UNHCR wishes to clarify that it was not involved in this particular relief effort. UNHCR is represented in Nassir by its implementing partner the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) in a small scale. UNHCR has no presence in Akobo,” said the statement from the Juba office of UNHCR
The agency said that it does run operations to Akobo from the Gambella region in Ethiopia but these are temporarily halted as these areas are only accessible by air.
“UNHCR condemns the attack on the barges carrying assistance to those in need in Akobo and remains committed to humanitarian services,” the agency added.
Today the World Food Programme’s Sudan Country Director, Kenro Oshidari, warned that the attack “is a major blow to our operation.” On Saturday, WFP airlifted food with Buffalo planes, but these can carry only 5 tons on each trip and the amount required is in the hundreds of tons, according to information presented today by Michelle Iseminger, head of WFP’s operation based n Juba.
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Joseph
UN refugee agency says not involved in failed relief convoy to Akobo
Absolutely UN is not involved, but they should not allow other convoy within their convoy even SPLA escort is not necessary they just put their plug and pass peacefully even if they are stop there would no fire. For the competent authority there must be peace negotiation between Lou Nuer and Jikang Nuer for the stability.