Aid Worker Deaths in South Sudan Reach 29 Since January, UN Says

(JONGLEI STATE, DUK COUNTY) – Five aid workers have been killed and four others wounded after their clearly marked humanitarian convoy was ambushed in Jonglei State, the United Nations has said. Several civilians were also reportedly killed or injured in the attack.

The UN said it was deeply saddened by the killings. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a press conference that the convoy was operated by a local partner and came under attack on the road between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Panyang Payam, Duk County.

“We join our Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramanathan Balakrishnan in strongly condemning the attack,” Mr Dujarric said.

He noted that UN colleagues had confirmed the convoy was clearly marked as humanitarian.

Mr Dujarric called attacks on aid workers unacceptable and a violation of international humanitarian law. He demanded a prompt investigation and urged all parties to protect aid workers, civilians and humanitarian assets.

Since January, 29 humanitarian workers and contractors have been killed while serving communities in need across South Sudan, Mr Dujarric added.

The John Dau Foundation, known as JDF, said in a statement that its staff were targeted in the ambush. It confirmed five JDF staff were killed and several others were injured.

In a separate development, Mr Dujarric said the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, had released a new report documenting a sharp rise in civilian deaths. More than 760 civilians were killed between January and March, an 89 percent increase compared to the previous quarter.

The mission also recorded a significant increase in conflict related sexual violence. The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNMISS, Anita Kiki Gbeho, called on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.