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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 鈥渂ack to school鈥� backpacks with UNICEF logos were provided by the United Nations children鈥檚 agency 鈥� but a photograph was taken on January 31 of a group of soldiers from the Sudan People鈥檚 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: 鈥淪uch thefts display a complete disregard for the principle of protection of civilians and respect for humanitarian work.鈥�

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

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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