JUBA — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended all humanitarian activities in Baliet County, Upper Nile State, following a series of armed attacks on its river convoy that resulted in the looting of more than 1,500 metric tons of life-saving food assistance.
According to WFP, a 12-boat convoy transporting food and non-food humanitarian supplies was attacked multiple times between 30 January and 1 February by armed youth while travelling along the river.
The cargo was subsequently looted by community members at several locations in Baliet County, despite prior security assurances from local authorities to guarantee safe passage.
WFP said the looting occurred overnight without intervention from county security forces, raising serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers, partners, and contractors operating in the area.
“Attacks on humanitarians are never acceptable,” WFP said in a statement, urging all parties to respect humanitarian personnel and protect facilities and resources essential for delivering aid.
The agency emphasized that operations in Baliet County will remain suspended until the safety of staff is assured and the Government of South Sudan takes immediate steps to recover the stolen commodities.
WFP also expressed deep concern over escalating insecurity in Jonglei State, where armed clashes between government forces and opposition groups have destroyed critical humanitarian infrastructure, including warehouses and health facilities. The affected areas include Akobo, Ayod, Nyirol, and Uror counties.
The growing insecurity and access constraints are threatening WFP’s ability to reach more than 4.2 million vulnerable people across South Sudan. In Jonglei State alone, the situation has forced WFP to pause plans to preposition 12,000 metric tons of food ahead of the rainy season, a critical period when access becomes severely limited.
WFP’s operations in South Sudan provide emergency food assistance, nutrition support, school meals, resilience-building programmes, and cash-based transfers to communities affected by conflict, climate shocks, and economic hardship.
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, delivering food assistance in emergencies while working to support peace, stability, and recovery in countries affected by conflict and climate change.
