South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Situation Snapshot - January 2016

The number of humanitarian access incidents reported in January (63) was slightly higher than in December (55), but lower than the 2015 average of 76 incidents reported per month. Access in January was primarily hampered by violence against humanitarian personnel/assets and restrictions on freedom of movement. For the sixth month in a row, the majority of reported incidents took place in Central Equatoria, including 14 in Juba.

IMPACT ON HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Out of the 63 access incidents reported in January, 35 were cases of violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, which remains the most frequently reported constraint. More than half of these were attempted or completed robberies or burglaries. Eight cases of robberies or burglaries were reported in Juba County and 11 in Jonglei, Lakes, Unity, Warrap, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal. With the dry season and increased road movement, there was an increase in reports of checkpoints (especially on the route between Juba and Bentiu), leading to delays and increased cost of transporting humanitarian supplies. Insecurity and access denials in Western Equatoria and around Wau continued to disrupt the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection in these areas, and also affected pre-positioning around the country.