South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator welcomes news of six aid workers safely accounted for in South Sudan

(Juba, 20 December 2017): The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou has today welcomed news of the safe return of the six aid workers who went missing four days ago in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal region.

The six aid workers, including one international and five national staff, working with Solidarités International, HealthNet TPO, and AFOD, are all accounted for. The Humanitarian Coordinator commends all those who worked to ensure the safe return of the NGO staff and particularly the efforts of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP).

The Humanitarian Coordinator reminded all parties of their obligation to respect the neutrality of on-going humanitarian operations and facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers providing life-saving aid to vulnerable people throughout the country. These aid agencies were implementing food assistance, livelihoods, health, and nutrition interventions in an area heavily impacted by food insecurity and malnutrition.

For further information, please contact:
Frank Nyakairu, nyakairu@un.org/+211 922 4060 12
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan or www.reliefweb.int.