By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Oxfam’s Acting Country Director, Felix Koske, has condemned an attack on an Oxfam food distribution center that resulted in deaths of two humanitarian workers.
The two staff members were attacked by armed robbers and died from gunshot wounds. Oxfam expressed its condolences to the families and the humanitarian community, strongly condemning the attack.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two valued colleagues, and our thoughts are with their families at this most difficult time,” Koske said. “Aid workers and communities must be able to ensure life-saving supplies reach those in need without any threat to their own lives, and we strongly condemn this horrific attack.”
Gatdet Nhial Jock and Manyal Gatjek Kueth, local community members, worked as security guards at the Oxfam food distribution site in Motot, Jonglei State.
Koske confirmed they were staff members working as security guards at a World Food Programme distribution drop-off zone managed by Oxfam in Motot.
The 2024 Aid Worker Security Report estimates that 34 humanitarian aid workers were killed in South Sudan in 2023.
The report further notes that while major attacks affecting aid workers occurred in 33 countries globally, 62% of all victims were recorded in Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan something which they attributed to the ongoing conflict in these countries.
Shootings and road attacks remain the most common forms of attacks on aid workers, with 45% occurring along roads during transit.