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UN: aid materials looted in Abyei

May, 26 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The UN Country Team in Sudan on Thursday said it is concerned that the premises of humanitarian organisations, both NGOs and UN aid agencies in Abyei town, have been ransacked and stocks of emergency relief items have been looted.

A photograph taken 24 May shows the World Food Programme compound in Abyei being looted by unidentified men and sacks of food lining the road for collection and transportation away. (Photo UNMIS/Stuart Price)
A photograph taken 24 May shows the World Food Programme compound in Abyei being looted by unidentified men and sacks of food lining the road for collection and transportation away. (Photo UNMIS/Stuart Price)
The looting of the relief items in Abyei took place following an attack by the north’s Sudan Armed Forces which took control of the town on 21, May 2011.

The military take over of the town prompted tens of thousands of civilians from the Abyei area to flee to areas where humanitarian organizations are scaling up their response.

In a UN Country in Sudan statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday it explains items looted include medical supplies, surgical equipment, 800 metric tons of food (enough to feed 50,000 people for three months), non-food items, water and hygiene equipment. These supplies had been dispatched to Abyei town in recent weeks to respond to the urgent needs of the town’s residents and the rural population of surrounding villages.

Tens of thousands of people who fled Abyei have travelled South and are in need of urgent assistance. In Turalei, 130 km from Abyei town, 15,000 displaced people are living in the open. An additional 4,000 people have sought safety in near-by Mayen Abun village. Unknown numbers are believed to have fled into the bush between Agok and Turalei., reads part of the statement

The release quoted Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Charpentier as commending work of the humanitarian agencies saying they are working around the clock to provide assistance.

“Food and emergency items are being distributed in Mayen Abun and Turalei. Medical and nutritional screening is underway in 11 health posts and seven nutrition centres. Broken water points are being repaired, emergency bladders are being set up and latrines are being constructed. Specialists in child support have also been deployed to help children separated from their families.”

“Conditions are difficult in these remote areas but NGO partners are present on the ground and UN agencies had already pre-positioned emergency supplies. However there are concerns that fuel is short and that near-by airstrips may become unusable due to heavy rains”.

“The United Nations Country Team deplores the looting of emergency relief stocks and calls on all parties to respect the property of UN aid agencies and NGOs, while allowing free and unhindered movement of humanitarian workers and relief items to vulnerable communities that have been displaced from their homes during the recent upsurge in conflict in Abyei and the surrounding region”.

(ST)

3 Comments

  • Ajok Garang
    Ajok Garang

    UN: aid materials looted in Abyei
    The UN and the UNSC has to do something its not a matter of bringing ther troops to watch at the SAF and do nothing ? concerning the lootings ,the SAF were the one responsible for that actions and no one should be blame .

    Reply
  • Aleu
    Aleu

    UN: aid materials looted in Abyei
    I think the International community or U.N. Have learn now about dictatorship Omar al Bashit and his Army that, looting and burning down the houses of civilians in Abyei. The army of killer man and most dictator his army act same as like Omar al Bashir did but it is very hard to tell how weak this so call International community which have never take action against Sudan dictatorship and the U.N. For Sudan’s case this could tell more about Business of U.N. Leaving innocents dying while they are wondering what kind of U.N. Was been set in 1945.?

    Reply
  • okucu pa lotinokwan
    okucu pa lotinokwan

    UN: aid materials looted in Abyei

    The whole world should see now,how the colour of NCP look like,Merriya men plus their wives are responsible of those looting including all the properties of Dinka Ngok citizen but it will not go unpunish.
    There is a time of every things.

    OKUCU PA LOTINOKWAN

    Reply
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