JUBA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- At least ten aid workers have been killed in South Sudan since January amid increasing violence against humanitarian community in the world's youngest nation, the UN said on Friday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said three aid workers were killed in clearly marked vehicles in Rubkona and Mayom counties of Unity, bringing the number of aid workers killed in South Sudan since January to ten.
"Fifty-nine access incidents were reported in June, with the majority (66 percent) occurring in Unity, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Central Equatoria and Jonglei," said OCHA in its latest report for June.
According to UN agency, 68 percent of the organizations reporting being affected are international NGOs and over recent months, incidents involving violence against aid workers and assets have remained the majority, at around 60 percent.
It said operations in Western Bahr el Ghazal have in July continued to be impeded by blockages and bureaucratic challenges, a situation that has persisted since the start of 2018.
"There were six looting incidents reported affecting delivery of nutrition, FSL and health activities to thousands of people in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Rubkona and Pariang in Unity, Mundri East in Western Equatoria and Pibor in Jonglei," said OCHA.
It said 11 aid workers were relocated due to insecurity from Melut while on mission to Manyo to conduct a registration and verification exercise of the reported 8,500 IDPs who were displaced by fighting.
About 7 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure, and several thousands may be facing famine conditions, according to a report issued by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network.
South Sudan's conflict that has now entered its fifth year since it erupted in 2013 after forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy engaged in combat.
Millions of South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in neighboring countries as the conflict rages on despite attempts by international players to end it.
