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 国产视频渂ack to school国产视频� backpacks with UNICEF logos were provided by the United Nations children国产视频檚 agency 国产视频� but a photograph was taken on January 31 of a group of soldiers from the Sudan People国产视频檚 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 of听vehicles, food stockpiles and medicines.

She added: 国产视频淪uch thefts display a complete disregard for the principle of protection of civilians and respect for humanitarian work.国产视频�

Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF, called the incident 国产视频渙utrageous and sad国产视频�. He added: 国产视频淲e will certainly be pursing this with the government in Juba. This is not the first time this has happened.国产视频�

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.

You can read more about the problems facing children in South Sudan.