UN Spokesperson Raises Concerns Over Fuel Shortages Impacting Aid Delivery

The United Nations is facing a critical situation in South Sudan as fuel reserves are being depleted, hindering the delivery of much-needed aid to communities in crisis. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized the impact of this fuel shortage on their ability to support those in need across the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, Dujarric highlighted the challenges faced by UN colleagues in South Sudan, where millions of dollars worth of aid are at risk of not being delivered due to the dwindling fuel reserves. The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, has also seen a reduction in support, prompting urgent action from the Head of the mission, Nicholas Haysom, to ensure that assistance in the country does not come to a halt.

Meanwhile, deadly flash floods have struck Somalia, claiming the lives of four people and affecting over 770,000 individuals. The UN and its humanitarian partners have ramped up response efforts by issuing early warnings, deploying flood task force teams, and identifying evacuation sites in flood-prone areas to mitigate the impact of the ongoing crisis.

In Ukraine, civilians were injured in an overnight attack in Odesa, adding to the escalating violence in the region. Aid workers have provided emergency assistance to affected families, including medical services and mental health support. The World Health Organization has reported nearly 100 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for protection of civilians and humanitarian workers in the conflict-affected areas.

As these crises unfold, the UN and its partners continue to work tirelessly to provide essential aid and support to vulnerable populations in South Sudan, Somalia, and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of sustained international assistance in times of crisis.