[ad_1]
18 August 2024 (Juba) – The United Nations says 24 aid workers have been attacked in South Sudan this year, making the country one of the most dangerous places for humanitarian workers.
The United Nations humanitarian agency (UNOCHA) said access restrictions across the country were hampering efforts to deliver urgent life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people.
“Between January and July this year, a total of 267 humanitarian assistance incidents were reported, of which 135 involved acts of violence directly targeting humanitarian personnel and assets, including 28 incidents of looting and theft,” the agency said in a statement.
The report added that the escalating security situation had forced 15 humanitarian workers to evacuate their work areas.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.
She added: “Their unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering and providing aid to those in need cannot be overstated.”
The United Nations also warned of the humanitarian and economic outlook for countries affected by conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has 780,000 refugees and internally displaced persons;
The United Nations says it expects 9 million people in South Sudan, about three-quarters of its population, to need humanitarian and protection assistance by 2024.
Two million people are reportedly still displaced due to decades of conflict, inter-community violence and extreme impact and climate change events such as floods and droughts.
It is estimated that in 2024, about 7.1 million people (56.3 percent of the total population) will face crisis-level or worse food insecurity.
Furthermore, it was reported that only 31.5% of the $1.8 billion intended to aid 6 million people had been received.
“If aid workers don’t have a safe space, we risk failing the millions of people who depend on it,” stressed Gebeho.
She added: “With South Sudan facing severe flooding and tens of thousands of refugees returning from Sudan, the safe delivery of vital aid is critical.”
Meanwhile, the humanitarian community urged all stakeholders to prioritize the safety of humanitarian workers in South Sudan, adding that “their ability to work without fear is critical to ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches those in need.”
(English stone)
[ad_2]
Source link
