Statement by Toby Lanzer, Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan: Humanitarian Action Requires Freedom of Movement for Aid Workers

Juba, 23 April 2015: “The work of non-governmental organisations and United Nations providing emergency relief to the survivors of conflict in any setting is based on the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality. The safety and security of aid workers and their property is a condition for programmes to be carried out.

Central to the work of any aid agency is that their national and international staff members are free to move, unimpeded, to reach civilians in need.

Over the past days conditions for aid agencies in Pagak, Upper Nile state, have deteriorated. Aid workers there have been harassed and threatened and their freedom of movement has been impeded. The organisations are no longer able to conduct their work on behalf of populations in need in an impartial, neutral and safe manner. As a consequence, aid workers have left Pagak until such a time when the conditions for them to be present there, on behalf of civilians in need, are re-established."

To download the press release, click here.

For more information, contact: Tapiwa Gomo, Head of Communication, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in South Sudan (gomo@un.org / +211 922406079)

Jennifer Paton, Public Information and Reporting Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in South Sudan (patonj@un.org / +211 920100413)

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