South Sudan soldiers wear UNICEF backpacks meant for children
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Humanitarian aid packages are often stolen in South Sudan. Picture: United Nations
UNICEF has reacted angrily after it was revealed that government troops in South Sudan are wearing backpacks meant for children.
The distinctive blue 鶹APPback to school鶹APP backpacks with UNICEF logos were provided by the United Nations children鶹APPs agency 鶹APP but a photograph was taken on January 31 of a group of soldiers from the Sudan People鶹APPs Liberation Army wearing them alongside their guns.
The backpacks contain school supplies including notebooks and pencils. They are meant to be aids in makeshift classrooms.
UNICEF spokeswoman Sarah Crowe said it had become commonplace for supplies to the strife-torn country to be looted from aid organisations, schools and churches by both sides in the conflict. This has included the theft ofvehicles, food stockpiles and medicines.
She added: 鶹APPSuch thefts display a complete disregard for the principle of protection of civilians and respect for humanitarian work.鶹APP
Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF, called the incident 鶹APPoutrageous and sad鶹APP. He added: 鶹APPWe will certainly be pursing this with the government in Juba. This is not the first time this has happened.鶹APP
The SPLA at first denied looting any supplies from aid agencies. But Colonel Philip Aguer later told the Sudan Tribune the army would investigate the claims.
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