CEPO: Free the 10 Aid Workers Missing in Yei River State
Press release on the ten missing humanitarian workers in Yei River State
April 26, 2018 (PW) — Ten aid workers have gone missing in Yei River State, says the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Their convoy was en route to Tore from Yei town, early on Wednesday to conduct a humanitarian needs assessment.
OCHA said their whereabouts and well-being are unknown.“We are deeply concerned about the whereabouts of these humanitarian workers and are urgently seeking information about their well-being,” said Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.
The ten humanitarian staff, all nationals, includes one from UNOCHA, two from UNICEF, one from the South Sudanese Development Organization, two from ACROSS, three from Plan International and one from Action Africa Help. Mr Noudehou demanded their swift return.
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in strong terms condemned the act. It is unacceptable act and it is crime against the international humanitarian law.
The acts of kidnapping, harassing, intimidating and killing humanitarian works is totally unacceptable and it may mount to crime against humanity.
The recent raise in harming aid work and aid workers is distributing and demonstrating dangerous development on humanitarian work
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO says politicizing humanitarian work is unacceptable development.
Targeting humanitarian workers is clear demonstration of actor who wants to use humanitarian aid hindrance as a weapon of fighting opponent by subjecting vulnerable population in serious humanitarian needs to death.
The recent increase in harming humanitarian work and workers is very negative development on humanity.
South Sudan warring parties or any other actor that feel targeting humanitarian works and workers is a positive act should stop that immediately.
The message behind targeting humanitarian workers is every clear that one wants to subject vulnerable population to dead as a justification for political purpose.
It is inhuman to prevent vulnerable population from receiving humanitarian aid from aid works or institutions. Mr. Yakani stressed.
Finally, in honorable manner CEPO is urging whoever is behind the kidnapping of the 10 aid workers in Yei to free them immediately.
CEPO calls on the public to join the campaign #Free10AidWorkersInYei
About Post Author
