UN Sounds Alarm Over Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in South Sudan

JUBA, (Xinhua) — The humanitarian situation in many states of South Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, with severe disruptions in the delivery of vital aid to vulnerable populations, the United Nations relief agency warned in an update released Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the safety of humanitarian staff is under severe threat due to escalating abductions and violence.

“While the number of incidents slightly decreased in July compared to the prior month, this reduction is mainly due to the onset of the rainy season, severely restricting staff and aid movement by road,” the OCHA said in its latest humanitarian update released in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

It said humanitarian partners reported 34 incidents in July alone, highlighting an alarming and persistent trend from the previous year.

Last week, OCHA called on all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and security of aid workers in South Sudan as the country remains one of the most risky environments for humanitarian workers in 2024. It also said some 267 humanitarian access incidents were reported between January and July, with 135 incidents involving direct violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, including 28 incidents of looting and theft.

“The theft and looting of humanitarian supplies, particularly in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile states, are significantly undermining the effectiveness of humanitarian operations and eroding community trust,” the OCHA said in the latest report.

The UN agency also said the sharp devaluation of the local currency further intensifies the crisis, fueling negative coping mechanisms such as extortion, road banditry, and heightened demands at checkpoints, all of which obstruct aid delivery.

“Authorities are also increasing burdens on humanitarian organizations, including imposing higher taxes, demanding extensive information on staff and assets, interfering in asset management, and involving themselves in recruitment processes,” the OCHA said.