One of Save the Children's seized vehicles. Photo: Courtesy.

Save the Children has appealed for the recovery of its vehicles and other humanitarian assets removed from its premises in Jonglei State earlier this year, warning that their continued absence is disrupting the delivery of life-saving assistance to vulnerable children.

The appeal was made during a meeting on Wednesday between the organization’s Country Director and Senior Leadership Team and Jonglei State Governor, alongside the State Minister of Education, the Chairperson of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission and other senior state officials.

In a statement, the humanitarian organization said the meeting focused on the humanitarian situation in Akobo County, the conditions required for humanitarian operations and the recovery of assets it says remain in the possession of others.

Save the Children said every vehicle withheld limits its ability to reach children and families in need of humanitarian assistance.

“These assets remain the property of the organization, and every vehicle withheld is a vehicle not reaching a child,” the organization said.

It added that humanitarian premises, personnel and assets are protected under international humanitarian law and should be respected by all parties.

The organization welcomed what it described as the governor’s engagement on the recovery of the vehicles and said it would continue working with the state authorities to secure their return.

Save the Children also said it briefed the governor on its temporary suspension of direct operations in Akobo County pending an independent review of its operating environment and the establishment of conditions for a safe and principled resumption of humanitarian activities.

According to the organization, Akobo remains one of South Sudan’s most underserved counties, with communities facing food insecurity, limited access to healthcare and education, and high levels of child malnutrition after years of conflict, displacement and recurrent flooding.

It said national partner organizations continue delivering humanitarian services in the county while efforts are underway to restore conditions for the resumption of its direct operations.