The United Nations humanitarian coordination office in South Sudan (OCHA) says that emergency aid programmes in Nhialdiu of Unity State have been suspended for more than a week after fighting in the area.

OCHA’s latest situation report released yesterday stated, “Following clashes in Nhialdu, Unity State, where a food distribution for 37,600 people was interrupted by fighting two weeks ago, aid agencies were re-assessing the security situation before returning to the area.”

Radio Tamazuj reported on 16 July that the South Sudanese national army (SPLA) attacked Nhialdiu area in Unity State on the previous day during an ongoing food distribution.

WFP confirmed it was forced by the clashes to evacuate a ‘rapid response team’ from Nhialdiu by helicopter, halting the food distribution.

The attack came after the government accused civilians in the opposition area of taking food aid to the rebels, according to sources in Bentiu.

Besides the food distribution, another emergency programme is also on hold. OCHA notes in its latest update that one aid organization “suspended emergency livelihood kit distributions, due to insecurity.”

OCHA did not identify the organization by name.

Photo: A recent UN food distribution in Koch, Unity State (WFP)