U.S. joins UN in condemning killings of humanitarian workers in South Sudan

JUBA – The United States has joined the United Nations in condemning the recent killings of aid workers in South Sudan, calling on the government to take action to protect humanitarian personnel and ensure the safe delivery of assistance.

In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Juba expressed its strong condemnation of the killing of humanitarian workers in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and Warrap state.

“The U.S. Embassy joins the UN Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in strongly condemning the brutal killing of a South Sudanese aid worker in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area on November 6,” the US embassy statement signed by Ambassador Michael Adler said.

“We also strongly condemn the November 11 attack in Warrap State in which a humanitarian worker was killed,” the statement added, stressing that “It is the responsibility of South Sudan’s transitional government to establish conditions that ensure the safe provision of humanitarian assistance.”

The embassy also offered its condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated its commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts in South Sudan.

Acting Humanitarian Coordinator Marie-Helene Verney also expressed deep regret over the recent killings, highlighting the tragic loss of the South Sudanese aid worker on November 6. She emphasized the circumstances surrounding the attack, stating that the aid worker was part of a team responding to a suspected measles outbreak when he was brutally killed.

“South Sudan has remained the most dangerous place for aid workers for several years running,” Verney said. “This cannot continue.”

According to data from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), four aid workers have been killed in South Sudan in 2023. In 2022, nine aid workers lost their lives while delivering humanitarian assistance, and a staggering 142 humanitarians have been killed since 2013.

These statistics underscore the perilous situation faced by aid workers in South Sudan, who continue to risk their lives to provide essential assistance to vulnerable populations.