South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
South Sudan remains among the most dangerous places globally for aid workers, according to a senior UN official.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General said on Monday in a statement issued on the eve of the celebration to mark World Humanitarian Day in Juba.
She noted that 24 attacks on aid workers have been recorded this year in South Sudan.
Gbeho said that access constraints across the country hamper efforts to deliver urgent, life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable populations.
“South Sudan remains one of the most perilous environments for humanitarian workers in 2024, with 24 attacks on aid workers recorded so far this year. Access constraints across the country hamper efforts to deliver urgent, life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable populations” she said.
She honored the bravery and sacrifice of humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Gbeho said that Between January and July, 267 humanitarian access incidents were reported, with 135 incidents involving direct violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, including 28 incidents of looting and theft.
She noted that escalating insecurity has forced 15 humanitarian staff to relocate from their operational areas, adding that their unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering and delivering assistance to those in need cannot be overstated.
“Without a safe space for aid workers, we risk failing the millions who depend on it,” Gbeho said.
She said that there is need need for safe access to deliver vital aid as the country is on brink of severe flooding amid influx of thousands of returnees from Sudan.
The UN has noted that a perfect storm is gathering in South Sudan regarding its humanitarian and economic outlook, adding that this is reflected by a protracted humanitarian crisis founded on chronic food insecurity; a spillover of the Sudan conflict into South Sudan, resulting in the movement of over 780,000 refugees and internally displaced people.
It adds that South Sudan is facing uncertainty in the face of critical political events necessary for a successful transition; rapidly deteriorating economy; and projected record levels of flooding set to peak in September.
It added that in 2024, 9 million people – three-quarters of South Sudan’s population – are projected to require humanitarian and protection assistance, adding that two million people remain displaced due to decades of conflict, intercommunal violence and extreme effects and events of climate change, such as flooding and dry spells.
The UN already warned that 7.1 million people or 56.3 per cent of the total population are projected to face crisis-level or more severe food insecurity in 2024, noting that the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which seeks to assist 6 million people with an appeal of $1.8 billion, remains underfunded at 31.5 per cent.
On World Humanitarian Day, the humanitarian community called on all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and security of humanitarian workers in South Sudan.
