Six missing aid workers return safely in South Sudan: UN

JUBA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations humanitarian agency on Wednesday welcomed news of the safe return of the six aid workers who went missing days ago in South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal region.

The six aid workers, including one international and five locals, were traveling on Raja-Wau road when they went missing on Sunday evening.

Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan said the six aid workers, working with Solidarites 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," Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.

He 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," Noudehou said. Enditem