A senior United Nations humanitarian official has called on all parties in South Sudan to allow free, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need across the war-ravaged country.
“Humanitarian organizations in South Sudan are striving every day to save lives and alleviate suffering across this country,” said Eugene Owusu, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan in a news release issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“Yet, they continue to face obstacles and challenges which hamper their efforts. This must stop.”
OCHA says that about 91 humanitarian access incidents were recorder between November 1 – November 28. Of these, 64 involved violence against humanitarian personnel.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his then deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against his government, accusations that Machar denied but went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
A peace deal that was signed last year has continually been violated by the warring parties.
A top UN official earlier in the month warned that the country risks sliding into genocide if an intervention is not conducted soon.
President Kiir has however pledged to implement the peace deal.
