JUBA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Two United Nations agencies on Monday strongly condemned attacks on aid workers and facilities in South Sudan's northwestern town of Bunj in the Upper Nile region.
The UNHCR and the UN humanitarian agency in South Sudan said in separate statements that the violence erupted after a peaceful protest by local youth in Maban county turned violent, leading to looting and burning of humanitarian premises and damage to aid vehicles.
"I strongly condemn today's attacks against aid workers and facilities in Maban and urge all involved to immediately cease such actions," said Adnan Khan, Acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.
"Aid workers ... sacrifice their time and all too often their safety to save people affected by the South Sudan crisis. They are free to work in any part of the country in line with the law of the land," he said.
In its statement, the UN refugee agency said the demonstrators who were protesting lack of job opportunities for local communities forcefully entered its compound and those of ten other humanitarian agencies looting offices and residences.
It added that the local population accused humanitarian organizations of recruiting people from outside the region.
"This is an act of senseless violence towards humanitarians and deeply regrettable," said Vincent Kwesi Parker, the UNHCR deputy representative and officer in charge of South Sudan.
According to UNHCR, South Sudan hosts nearly 300,000 refugees, mostly from Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Over 144,000 of those refugees live in four camps in Maban County.
"UNHCR deeply appreciates the hospitality and generosity of South Sudan and its people towards refugees. We strongly appeal to the authorities to ensure the safety and security of humanitarians," Parker stressed.
According to the UN, thousands of humanitarians are providing aid to millions of people in South Sudan affected by war, hunger and disease in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
