JUBA, South Sudan
The UN has condemned the killing of three aid workers in South Sudan and called on authorities to protect humanitarian personnel.
“I am shocked by the report on the killing of two aid workers in the Abyei Administrative Area and another aid worker killed in Jonglei. I want to express our condolences to the family and colleagues of the aid workers who were killed,” said Peter van der Auweraert, the humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in South Sudan.
Auweraert called on authorities to restore order and protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel and assets.
“As the humanitarian community, we call on authorities to bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice,” he said.
He noted that on Jan. 2, armed men attacked Rumameer village in the Abyei administrative area, killing two aid workers and several other civilians. The aid workers were shot and killed while on duty at a humanitarian facility in the village.
Auweraert said humanitarians are working tirelessly to serve the most vulnerable people, including women, children and the elderly with vital humanitarian assistance.
He said that another aid worker was killed on Jan. 7 by unknown individuals while he guarded humanitarian commodities in Duk County of Jonglei State.
Auweraert said attacks on aid workers are hampering efforts by humanitarian partners to respond to people’s needs in Abyei administrative area and Duk county in Jonglei State.
“I would remind all parties to the conflict that they have obligations under International Humanitarian Law to protect and respect civilians, the wounded and sick and those captured,” he said.
South Sudan continues to be one of the most dangerous places for aid workers. Nine humanitarian workers have been killed in the line of duty in 2022, compared to five in 2021.
Since the conflict began in 2013, 141 humanitarians, predominantly South Sudanese, have lost their lives while providing humanitarian assistance to people.
