The United Nations World Food Programme or WFP warns that worsening insecurity in some parts of South Sudan would make it harder for humanitarian agencies to reach conflict-affected communities with assistance.
In a statement on Wednesday, WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin expresses concerns about the welfare of innocent people, particularly women and children, who are suffering the consequences of the conflict.
The official says they are committed to assist South Sudanese unless national and local authorities are willing and able to safeguard humanitarian staff.
The Chief says WFP is re-assessing its ability to work in some parts of Upper Nile State because of increasing concerns about staff safety, disclosing plans to temporarily reduce its operations in unsafe areas.
WFP Deputy Country Director in Juba Eddie Rowe says ‘we regret that we must temporarily suspend food assistance in Akoka and Fashoda counties. We hope to resume as soon as we have the necessary assurances that our staff and partners can work safely.’
The agency is deeply concerned about the fate of three staff members who disappeared in Upper Nile State on April 1 and that they are working hard for their safe return.
The staff disappeared while traveling from Malakal to Melut in a convoy carrying food to thousands of conflict-affected people when inter-communal fighting erupted along the road on which they were going.
WFP lost contact with the three men and has not heard from them since, despite intense efforts to reach them.