The United States condemned South Sudan\u2019s military on Tuesday for raiding a boat carrying United Nations food aid, an act it called part of a \u201cworsening pattern of looting\u201d by armed groups that is exacerbating the country\u2019s humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident occurred on September 7 when personnel from the South Sudan People\u2019s Defense Forces (SSPDF) boarded a World Food Programme boat in New Fangak, stealing food and supplies intended for civilians facing severe food insecurity, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the stolen goods were replaced by the WFP on September 20, the embassy stated the raid reflects \u201ca worsening pattern of looting and rent-seeking\u201d by armed groups and government officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is especially egregious because the individuals involved are entrusted with their country\u2019s security,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The embassy called on South Sudan\u2019s leaders to prevent such attacks and to be a reliable partner for international aid organizations. It expressed increasing concern about the denial of humanitarian access by government officials in Upper Nile State, an area facing a potential risk of famine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUrgent humanitarian intervention is required in these areas, and government authorities must facilitate access,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Embassy urged the transitional government to use public revenue to address public needs, including paying salaries to civil servants and security forces, and to take immediate steps to lower the costs and risks threatening aid delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Army Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang could not immediately be reached for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for aid workers. According to humanitarian reports, more than 30 aid workers have been abducted in South Sudan this year \u2014 double the number reported last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The United States condemned South Sudan\u2019s military on Tuesday for raiding a boat carrying United Nations food aid, an act it called part of a \u201cworsening pattern of looting\u201d by armed groups that is exacerbating the country\u2019s humanitarian crisis. The incident occurred on September 7 when personnel from the South Sudan People\u2019s Defense Forces (SSPDF) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8864,"featured_media":40804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[105,98,161],"tags":[31,109,169,4641,9251],"class_list":["post-40803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","category-news","category-world","tag-featured","tag-news","tag-south-sudan","tag-sspdf","tag-wfp"],"yoast_head":"\n