UN decries rising number of attacks on aid workers in South Sudan

(www.nationaltribune.com.au)

JUBA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday expressed concern about the increasing attacks on aid workers, the very group responding with life-saving assistance in South Sudan.

Arafat Jamal, acting humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, said every day, aid workers, most of whom are South Sudanese, find themselves in the crosshairs of violent action, and are risking their lives daily to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people in need in the country.

"The trend of increased violence against humanitarian workers, civilians and assets cannot continue, and is a violation of international humanitarian law," the UN official said in a statement issued in Juba to mark the World Humanitarian Day.

"Humanitarian workers must be able to safely reach people in remote and highly food-insecure areas and those in conflict- or flood-affected areas without the threat of attack," he added.

According to the UN, there has been a rise in the number of attacks against aid workers since March, noting that ambushes and attacks on clearly marked humanitarian convoys including ambulances have also increased.

Arafat said four aid workers were killed carrying out their duties this year, bringing the number of aid workers, mostly South Sudanese, killed since 2013 when conflict broke out to 128.

"Today we pause to remember all humanitarian and aid workers whose lives were taken from them in the course of their humanitarian work. We also salute the courage of humanitarian workers serving in isolated and insecure locations, doing crucial and lifesaving work," Arafat said.

He said when aid workers are endangered or under attack, vulnerable people who need food, health services and other life-saving services are deprived of the much-needed help.

The UN official called for determined and collective climate action and a firm end to violence against civilians and aid workers.

"South Sudan is ranked among the five countries in the world most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and populations across the country are already suffering the impacts with devastating consequences, including disaster displacement," said Arafat.

He said vulnerable populations are on the frontlines of the climate emergency and are being battered by cycles of disasters, which further erode their ability to recover and rebuild their lives.

South Sudan regularly experiences torrential rains, seasonal flooding and locust infestation in parts of the country, the UN said. Enditem