UN humanitarian chief condemns attacks on aid workers in southern Sudan

The top United Nations humanitarian official today condemned attacks on aid workers in Southern Sudan, including the killing of a UN staff member over the weekend, and urged the authorities there to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel.

“These incidents demonstrate complete disregard for the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and I condemn them in the strongest possible terms,” said Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Santino Pigga Alex Wani, a Senior Programme Assistant working with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was killed during an attack by armed assailants in Jonglei state on Saturday, according to Ms. Amos, who expressed her deepest condolences to his family.

She also voiced grave concern for the safety of two missing staff of the International Organization for Migration and called for their safe return. They went missing after being forced to drive into an area of active conflict on 19 April.

Ms. Amos called on the Government of Southern Sudan and armed groups to take all measures possible to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers and to facilitate access of relief organisations to people in need of emergency assistance.