UNMISS, WFP Condemn attempted ambush on convoy

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemn the attempted ambush of an interagency UN convoy.

“On February 28, a convoy of 59 trucks carrying WFP food and nutrition assistance came under attack from armed gunmen some 30 KM from Gadiang, 160 KM from Bor in Jonglei State,” a joint statement issued Tuesday states.

The convoy was en route to several places under the protection of the UNMISS Force to stockpile much-needed assistance for 95,000 people ahead of the rainy season when access is severely limited.

A UN peacekeeper suffered a gunshot wound but was in a stable condition.

“Continued attacks on humanitarians and the attempted looting of vital relief which millions of vulnerable people depend on to survive are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” said acting Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for South Sudan Mr. Meshack Malo.

These incidents, the UN agencies say, derail humanitarians’ ability to deliver lifesaving assistance to people in need during the limited window of opportunity available to reach them.

“At a time of major funding constraints, the loss of aid due to theft, looting or destruction means that every bag of food, nutrition or other humanitarian supplies looted is stolen directly from the South Sudanese families most in need,” Mr. Malo continued.

According to OCHA, the number of attacks against aid convoys and assets in South Sudan has increased, reaching 591 in 2021. Humanitarian groups have turned to UNMISS for force protection during the delivery of aid due to active conflicts, sub-national violence, and violence against humanitarian activities. 

UNMISS and the World Food Programme (WFP) urge the government to conduct an inquiry and bring the offenders to justice, as well as the community to respect humanitarian operations and UN peacekeepers working in South Sudan to promote peace and stability.

Last year in May, the world food programme also condemned the looting of its food in Greater Pibor Administrative Area in Greater Jonglei where Approximately 550 metric tons of food, that was enough to feed 33,000 food insecure people for one month, were looted before it was destroyed in Gumuruk

And again In Warrap state, armed youth groups from the local community looted 10 mt of food from the World Food programmer’s warehouse in Kirrik, Tonj North on 19 June.