Hon. Albino Akol Atak, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has today met with Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan to discuss Humanitarian situation and field visit to Unity State to assess the humanitarian impact on the ground.During the meeting, the Humanitarian Coordinator said the number of humanitarian workers killed globally this year is 82 workers, and South Sudan reportedly had 36 humanitarian workers killed.The HC suggested that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management should meet with the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs to discuss ways to prevent the killings of humanitarian agency workers and reiterated that food sustainability has become a problem in Bentiu IDP Camp. He notably suggested organising a steering committee to resolve those problems.After his return from the mission, the HC wished to join the government for a field visit to Bentiu that will involve the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, along with the Chief of Defense Forces and Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, to see the situation first-hand and then advocate for safe and humanitarian assistance.In his response, Hon. Albino Akol appreciated the Humanitarian Coordinator for a detailed report and assured him that he would engage the Minister of Defense, Health, Education, and the Chairperson of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the R-TNLA to join together in a field visit. So far, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has accepted to join the delegation. After the field visit, we will therefore convene a 3rd steering committee to revise the standing mechanism.Hon. Atak reiterated that the incidents surrounding the killings of humanitarian workers have made South Sudan criticised globally. However, we regret such actions. Humanitarian workers are also advised to avoid going to highly risky areas for their safety.
