Save the Children has reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian neutrality after images circulating on social media showed one of its branded vehicles in the possession of armed actors, prompting the organization to clarify that the vehicle was stolen months ago and is no longer under its control.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the international humanitarian agency said it was aware of media reports and online images showing a vehicle displaying the Save the Children logo being used by armed actors in South Sudan.
The organization explained that the vehicle is one of four Save the Children vehicles that were forcibly seized in January this year during insecurity in Walgak, Jonglei State.
According to the agency, the vehicles were taken before armed gangs attacked its operations in the area in early February, looting and burning down a Save the Children office and destroying a healthcare centre that had been providing essential medical services to local communities.
“Since the seizure, the vehicles have not been under Save the Children’s control or operation,” the organization said, emphasizing that it has had no access to or responsibility for the vehicles since they were taken.
Save the Children strongly condemned what it described as the misuse of humanitarian assets, saying the use of clearly marked aid vehicles by armed actors undermines humanitarian operations and threatens the safety of aid workers delivering assistance in conflict-affected areas.
“We strongly condemn the misuse of humanitarian assets and reiterate that Save the Children does not support or facilitate the activities of any armed actor,” the statement said.
The agency stressed that it remains guided by the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, which require aid organizations to provide assistance solely on the basis of need and without taking sides in conflict.
Humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan rely on those principles to gain access to vulnerable communities, many of whom depend on emergency assistance for food, healthcare, nutrition, education and protection services.
Save the Children warned that the unauthorized use of humanitarian property by armed actors can damage public trust in aid organizations, increase security risks for humanitarian workers and restrict access to communities requiring life-saving assistance.
The organization also renewed its call for all parties to respect humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets in accordance with international humanitarian law, which protects humanitarian operations during armed conflict.
Despite the loss of its vehicles and facilities in Walgak, Save the Children said it remains committed to supporting children and families affected by conflict, displacement and humanitarian emergencies across South Sudan.
The statement comes amid continuing humanitarian challenges in parts of the country, where aid agencies have repeatedly reported attacks on humanitarian personnel, looting of relief supplies and destruction of facilities, incidents that have complicated efforts to reach vulnerable populations with essential services.
