The United Nations in South Sudan has said it acknowledges the assurance given on Tuesday by South Sudan’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs that the imposition of taxes on trucks carrying fuel and other supplies does not apply to UN humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping operations or the diplomatic community.

The Government of South Sudan recently imposed a raft of taxes and fees on UN agencies, diplomatic missions, and humanitarian assistance including the ePetroleum Accreditation Permit, customs fees, the electronic cargo tracking note, the laboratory test on food rations, and the security escort fee.

In a press statement late on Tuesday, the UN said their fuel trucks are still being held at the border despite the government’s clarification of the matter.

“However, we remain concerned that our fuel trucks are still being held up at various depots and the border. Until they are released, the UN will not be able to conduct many of its activities in support of vulnerable communities across the country,” the statement warned. “The situation is critical. The fuel reserves of the UN and its agencies, funds, and programs are running out. This will prevent the delivery of millions of dollars of aid during a severe humanitarian crisis and divert already stretched funding provided by donors and other Member States to assist the people of South Sudan.”

“Humanitarian airdrops have already been suspended, affecting 60,000 people in need,” it added.

According to the statement, UNMISS has also been forced to review peacekeeping patrols, road repairs, and construction of police stations, schools, and health centers, as well as reduce support for peace and electoral processes.

“While we acknowledge the Government’s confirmation of its intention to end the blockade of our trucks, we now need urgent action to get the trucks moving to ensure our support for South Sudan does not grind to a halt,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom.

In a statement on Sunday, the Embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America urged the transitional government to immediately halt recent actions that imposed illicit and unacceptable costs on donor governments, United Nations agencies, and their implementing partners who are seeking to provide humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.

“Such attempts are contrary to international practice and South Sudanese law, which clarifies that the United Nations, UN specialized agencies, diplomatic missions, or other international donors and their contractors, grantees, and implementing partners in South Sudan are exempt from excise duties, customs duties and fees, and other taxes, charges, and fees on goods and services directly related to diplomatic missions or donor-funded projects,” the statement said. “When the transitional government imposes such costs, it is diverting life-saving aid from South Sudanese people in need. It is the obligation of the transitional government to reduce the costs and risks faced by those seeking to provide humanitarian assistance to its people.”