Peter Van Der Auweraert, IOM chief of mission, during a live radio show on May 10, 2021 | Credit | Lou Nelson/Eye Radio

The UN acting Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan has condemned the killing of three aid workers in the Abyei Administrative Area and in Jonglei State.

In a statement to Eye Radio newsroom, Peter van der Auweraert said, on January 2 this year, armed men attacked Rumameer village in which two aid workers and several civilians were killed, with many others injured during the attack.

The aid workers were shot and killed while on duty at a humanitarian facility in Rumameer village.

Van der Auweraert said in the second incident on January 7, an aid worker was killed by unknown individuals while he guarded humanitarian commodities in Duk County, Jonglei State.

“I am shocked by the report on the killing of two aid workers in the Abyei Administrative Area and another aid worker killed in Jonglei,” he said.

“I want to express our condolences to the family and colleagues of the aid workers who were killed.”

According to OCHA, Humanitarian commodities were looted during the incident.

Peter also called on authorities and communities to protect humanitarian personnel as they deliver assistance to vulnerable people.

“Humanitarians are working tirelessly to serve the most vulnerable people, including women, children, and the elderly with vital humanitarian assistance, and attacks against them are completely unacceptable and must stop,” he said.

He further stated that people across South Sudan and the Abyei Administrative Area are experiencing critical needs, and efforts by humanitarian partners to respond to people’s needs are affected by increased violence against personnel and assets.

South Sudan has been viewed as one of the most dangerous places for aid workers.