South Sudan: NGO slam attack on aid workers

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said Wednesday that is deeply distressed following an attack on its staff at a compound in Jam Jang County in Ruweng Administrative Area of Greater Unity region.

“We are deeply disturbed by these attacks. Thus far, the perpetrators have not been caught and there has been no accountability for those that have carried out this attack,” said IRC South Sudan Country Director Caroline Sekyewa.

She urged authorities “to provide a guarantee of staff security so that we can continue to provide life-saving humanitarian services to host and displaced communities in South Sudan.”

Up to 20 youth entered the perimeter of the IRC compound on April 24 and physically attacked staff, resulting in multiple injuries.

One senior medical staff member was seriously injured and was airlifted to a hospital in Juba.

According to reports, residents from the Unity region attacked workers in the area complaining that the NGOs recruited staff from the Equatoria region and left locals without employment.

The IRC has been one of the largest aid providers in South Sudan for over 30 years, delivering emergency assistance and supporting vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas.

“Our health response includes capacity building in state clinics, training of local health workers, nutrition programs, and sanitation services and also provide support to survivors of sexual violence and child protection services,” the group said.

“On Saturday morning, approximately 50 youth began a violent demonstration about the hiring of workers from outside the local area by a non-governmental organization based in Jam Jang. They stormed the organization’s compound and injured several staff,” the UN mission in South Sudan Chief of Communication and Public Information Francesca Mold said in a statement Tuesday.

“As soon as reports of the attack were received, Mongolian troops serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in nearby Pariang deployed a quick reaction force to protect the humanitarian workers, prevent further violence, and ensure that those who were injured received medical care.”

Mold said the peacekeeping team later reinforced their presence with additional troops and are continuing to patrol the area to provide safety and security for humanitarian partners who are working to support communities in desperate need of assistance.

“The United Nations acknowledges the serious youth unemployment problem in the country due to the dire economic situation and fully supports recruitment practices that are based on competence, professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity,” she added.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said the NGOs who work in the Unity region are all from the Equatoria region.

“The attack was carried out by angry local youths in Unity region, complaining about the lack of employment, those who are working with IRC are from Equatoria region and the youth from the Unity region are saying why the youth from another region are employed by the NGO and leave them,” he said.