Illegal roadblocks manned by men in uniform are common across South Sudan. (-)

Unauthorized taxation imposed at illegal checkpoints and by local authorities, threat to aid workers and violence in many parts of South Sudan obstructed aid delivery to needy populations affected by hunger and floods particularly in Jonglei and Warrap, said the UN humanitarian agency.

The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said relief access in South Sudan faced notable challenges due to rising violence, threats to aid personnel and assets and increasing administrative hurdles.

The agency said physical access issues delayed the delivery of essential services to communities across the country. It added that 39 access incidents were recorded highlighting threats to safety, logistical obstacles, bureaucratic delays and economic barriers affecting humanitarian operations.

OCHA said supplies for hepatitis E response were delayed for two weeks in Twic County in Warrap State because of demand for illegal tax payment against the humanitarian consignment.

“In Jonglei State, local authorities in Nyirol demanded a fee of 600,000 South Sudanese pound (about US$180) per boat carrying supplies to Nasir, further straining aid delivery,” it said.

OCHA added that illegal checkpoints manned by armed men along the Sobat River collected unauthorized taxes – ranging from $100 to $300 per boat and “harassed operators, leading to looting and delay of delivery, increased costs and security risks faced by humanitarian staff.”

Meanwhile, the agency said local interferences in the recruitment processes for aid workers in Ayod, Fangak of Jonglei, and Maiwut, Maban and Renk of Upper Nile State limited the ability of humanitarian partners to implement their projects.

“Targeted attacks on humanitarian assets continued, adding to operational risks. In Magwi, Eastern Equatoria State, armed criminals shot at a humanitarian vehicle, injuring one staff member,” it said.

Further, clashes in Central Equatoria State’s Wonduruba and Warrap’s Tonj East resulted in looting of vital supplies, including a WFP warehouse, and delayed assistance for displaced communities.

Flooding and heavy rains rendered critical routes impassable in Upper Nile, Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, forcing organizations to rely on costly air and river transport and limiting service capacity.