The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has strongly condemned a security incident in Jonglei State, South Sudan. Armed youth assaulted humanitarian workers and forced the offloading of food assistance intended for thousands of vulnerable people. This incident occurred on 29 September in Chuilbong, Ayod County, during a WFP river convoy operation. The convoy was delivering humanitarian assistance to communities in Ayod.
According to WFP, armed youth assaulted and threatened two humanitarian staff members at gunpoint. Their goal was to prevent the delivery of food assistance to government-controlled Mogok in Ayod North. The incident took place in the presence of local authorities. It followed extensive negotiations aimed at securing safe passage for the convoy from Chuilbong to Mogok and onward to Ayod South.
The situation left the convoy unable to proceed safely. WFP instructed the convoy team to offload the food commodities under duress to protect its personnel. An estimated 162.54 metric tonnes of food assistance were forced off the convoy. These supplies had been intended to support about 4,400 vulnerable people in Mogok for three months.
The remaining humanitarian team and assets, including personnel from Action Against Hunger (ACF), were secured and safely returned to Malakal on 2 October without further incident. The remaining convoy was carrying an estimated 291.48 metric tonnes of food assistance allocated for communities in Ayod South.
WFP called on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. They must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. "Aid workers are not, and must never be, a target," WFP said. Humanitarian personnel must be protected from violence, threats and intimidation so they can continue delivering life-saving assistance to communities in need.
The agency also called for the safe and unimpeded movement of humanitarian personnel and cargo. Insecurity and obstruction of aid operations can prevent critical assistance from reaching vulnerable populations. WFP's operations in South Sudan aim to provide life-saving assistance to communities affected by conflict and food insecurity.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in South Sudan. The country has been affected by conflict and food insecurity for years. WFP and other humanitarian organizations play a critical role in providing assistance to vulnerable populations.
Key points
- The WFP convoy was delivering humanitarian assistance to communities in Ayod.
- Armed youth assaulted and threatened humanitarian staff members at gunpoint.
- The incident highlights the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in South Sudan.
