Daijiworld Media Network - Juba
Juba, Aug 13: The United Nations (UN) relief agency has expressed concern after attacks in South Sudan killed six humanitarian workers in July, warning that escalating violence is posing a severe threat to vital aid operations across the country.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said humanitarian access across South Sudan remained severely constrained in July due to persistent conflict, violence against aid workers, administrative hurdles and deteriorating infrastructure.
"Restrictions on the movement of cash, fuel and communications equipment into opposition-controlled areas also persisted, affecting the delivery of cash-based and other essential assistance," the UN agency said in its report.
OCHA said two humanitarian workers were killed in Jonglei State, two in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and two others in Warrap State, Xinhua news agency reported.
Three humanitarian workers were also abducted with ransom demands in Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria states, while escalating hostilities in northern Jonglei forced the relocation of 10 aid personnel, according to OCHA.
A total of 65 humanitarian access incidents were recorded in July, up from 63 in June. The incidents were reported primarily in Upper Nile, Central Equatoria, Jonglei and Unity states, where continuing insecurity posed serious threats to aid personnel and operations.
OCHA noted that escalating insecurity, movement restrictions, bureaucratic hurdles and weather-damaged infrastructure severely hampered humanitarian operations and delayed the delivery of life-saving assistance across South Sudan during the month.
Meanwhile, more than 60 people were killed and 50 others injured on Sunday after armed youth from neighbouring Unity State launched coordinated attacks across South Sudan's Warrap State, local authorities confirmed on Monday.
According to Warrap State Information and Communication Services Minister William Wol Mayom Bol, the attacks targeted the Ariec cattle camp in Tonj North County and the Pan-Ariik community in Akok village in what appeared to be a synchronised assault.
The attacks resulted in loss of lives and the looting of property and an unspecified number of livestock.
Bol said 37 people from the Pan-Ariik community and 11 from Apuk-Padoc were killed in the assault. He added that 15 attackers from the Nuer community of neighbouring Unity State were also killed during the raid on the Ariec cattle camp.
"The senseless act of violence is a direct violation of peace and stability efforts in the region. Authorities in Warrap and neighbouring Unity State shall take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice," Bol said.
Bol added that 17 critically wounded people had been transferred to Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal State for specialised care, while others were receiving treatment at the Athieng-Pool Primary Healthcare Unit.