Source: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) |

Gogrial authorities praised for closing road check-points

David Shearer, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in South Sudan, visited the town of Kuajok, the capital of Gogrial State on Wednesday

It not only makes it easier for the UN to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, it also means that local people can travel freely and undertake economic activities

JUBA, South Sudan, March 30, 2017/APO/ --

The authorities in Gogrial have been praised by the most senior UN official in South Sudan for closing seven road blocks in the state, a move which has facilitated both trade and enabled humanitarian access.

David Shearer, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in South Sudan, visited the town of Kuajok, the capital of Gogrial State on Wednesday and said: “I’m impressed that the State authorities have made this positive move, as it brings many benefits to the citizens living here. It not only makes it easier for the UN to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, it also means that local people can travel freely and undertake economic activities. My hope is it can be sustained and replicated elsewhere.”

Mr Shearer heard from Gogrial State Governor, Gregory [Deng Kuach] Aduol how he had closed seven out of nine checkpoints in the area since February 2017. It followed similar closures in neighbouring states.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, of which Mr Shearer is also the head, is mandated to provide protection for humanitarian convoys delivering aid across South Sudan.

A convoy delivering humanitarian supplies from Juba to Bentiu in the north-east of the country can encounter and will most probably be stopped at up to 90 official and unofficial roadblocks. The 1000km journey can take from two to three weeks depending on the condition of the roads but also, crucially, how long convoys are delayed at checkpoints.

“UNMISS never pays to pass through checkpoints, as if we did so, then there would be a thousand the next time a convoy made its way to Bentiu,” said Mr Shearer.

The prompt delivery of aid by UN humanitarian agencies and partners in Gogrial State, which is not on the road to Bentiu is, becoming more critical as people there face up to living on a dwindling supply of food.

A combination of insecurity caused by intermittent inter-communal violence and erratic and incongruous weather events including drought and floods have led to significant food shortages.

In areas served by the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the agency reported that out of some 206, 000 children they surveyed around 12,000 children were severely malnourished and an additional 45,000 moderately malnourished. Both UNICEF and the World Food Programme are providing much needed emergency aid.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).