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Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan condemns killing of an aid worker in Lakes and calls for an end to violence

Countries
South Sudan
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

(Juba, 1 July 2020) The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, has condemned the killing of an aid worker in Cueibet County, Lakes State, and called for prompt action by authorities and communities to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel in the country.

On 28 June, a clearly marked ambulance that was transporting an injured person to a hospital following intercommunal violence was shot in Cueibet County. The driver, a national staff member of an international NGO that is providing health services in South Sudan, was killed.

“These violent acts against humanitarian workers are outrageous and unacceptable, especially during a time when health workers are taking significant risks to assist South Sudanese people who are affected by COVID-19, preventable diseases and injuries related to armed violence. Aid workers need a safe and secure environment to provide people with the assistance they need,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said. He added that “the fighting must stop, and perpetrators must be brought to justice.”

The incident is the fifth aid worker death in South Sudan in 2020 and brings the number of humanitarians killed since 2013 to 120.

For further information, please contact:
Emmi Antinoja, Head of Communications and Information Management, antinoja@un.org
Htet Htet Oo, Reporting Officer, +221 928 062 558 and ooh@un.org
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan or www.reliefweb.int

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.