A total of 90 access incidents were documented in July, the highest recorded since June 2015. July saw a substantial rise in incidents of active hostilities attributed to state security forces and other armed actors across the country, from four in June to 14 in July. In July, most access incidents were documented in Juba, followed by Unity, Lakes, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria respectively.
IMPACT ON HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Out of the 90 incidents reported in the month of July, 66 involved violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, which has been the most frequently reported access constraint to date in 2016. Several humanitarian compounds were attacked and looted across the country. Millions of dollars’ worth of aid including vehicles, generators and other equipment were looted or destroyed. The looting of humanitarian warehouses with food and supplies constitutes a major setback to efforts to respond to the needs of 4.8 million severely food insecure people across the country. Active hostilities and interference in implementation also hampered humanitarian access, two aid workers were expelled out of Rumbek by the authorities, and three aid workers were reported killed (two during the fighting in Juba and one in an ambush in Torit). Generally, an increased hostile operating environment towards aid workers was reported, with a growing number of threats, intimidation and harassment incidents.