Nov 08, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The U.S. Embassy in Juba, South Sudan joins the UN and international community in condemning the recent killings of humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan.
Within the last week alone, two separate attacks in South Sudan’s Jonglei State resulted in the deaths of two aid workers and injuries to three staff.
The U.S. Embassy in Juba confirmed that overall increase in violence has resulted in the deaths of nine aid workers in South Sudan to date in 2020.
This brings the total death of humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan to 124 since the conflict broke out in December 2013. Majority of these aid workers are South Sudanese national who died on the line of duty.
The U.S. Embassy regrets that humanitarian aid workers are being killed and delivery of essential services is being interrupted.
“Moreover, half of all reported humanitarian access incidents during 2020 have involved violence, or threats of violence, against humanitarian workers and assets. As a result, lifesaving assistance has been delayed or interrupted, resulting in the loss of lives of vulnerable South Sudanese citizens.” Reads part of the U.S Embassy in Juba reports.
To continue delivery services the U.S. Embassy is calling on South Sudanese authorities to ensure that they guarantee safety and security of aid workers.
“In order to continue delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance, the U.S. Embassy in Juba and the broader humanitarian community in South Sudan calls upon authorities and communities at all levels to guarantee the safety and security of aid workers, humanitarian assets, and all the people who access humanitarian services.” The U.S. Embassy in Juba said.
The United States is the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan, providing nearly $692 million in humanitarian aid in FY 2020 through UN and NGO partners.
The U.S. Embassy, along with the international community, reiterates its commitment to supporting the people of South Sudan.
