UN calls for probe into killing of 3 aid workers in S. Sudan

The UN top relief official in South Sudan on Saturday condemned horrific killing of there aid workers in the country's second largest town of Wau and called for urgent investigations.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu said the killing of the aid workers involved in the delivery of vital food aid in Wau comes less than one week after he called for an end to all attacks against aid workers in South Sudan.

"I am appalled by this abhorrent act and demand an urgent investigation to identify those who are responsible and bring them to account," Owusu said in a statement issued in Juba.

The three porters were killed while making their way to a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in the midst of security operations in Wau town on April 10.

The deaths bring the number of aid workers killed in South Sudan to 82 with 14 aid workers having already been killed in 2017, compared to 24 in all of 2016.

"There are no words left to explain the level of frustration and outrage I feel regarding the continued attacks against humanitarians in South Sudan who are simply trying to help the civilians who are suffering as a result of this conflict," Owusu said.

"I join WFP in sending my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the three brave men who lost their lives this week in the service of the vulnerable people in this country."

The escalation of violence follows recent fighting in Pajok (near the border with Uganda) that caused 6,000 to flee across the border as well as in Wau that displaced many civilians and also claimed the lives of three workers contracted by the WFP.

According to UN, some 60 humanitarian workers have had to relocate from multiple locations in Jonglei between Friday and Saturday, including Waat and Walgak, due to intensified conflict in the area.

Early indications are that the civilian population is also fleeing, though the number of people displaced has been unable to be verified due to the highly fluid situation.

Owusu called on the parties to the conflict to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure the proportionality of their actions.

"I am deeply disappointed that, despite the assurances that we have received and the commitments that have been made, humanitarians are again having to relocate, and civilians again being uprooted, in an area where needs were already high," he said.

The killings come as humanitarian needs continue to rise, while the operating environment is becoming increasingly dangerous and difficult. In March alone, 79 humanitarian access incidents were reported. Endit