Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on Thursday that it is suspending operations in two counties of South Sudan after its staff came under attack from an armed group.
The incident occurred on Wednesday while an MSF team was traveling by boat in Upper Nile State. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the boats, forcing the staff to jump into the river to escape.
One staff member was injured during the attack.
“Such attacks on healthcare workers are unacceptable and highlight the volatile environment in which humanitarian organisations operate in South Sudan,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF’s head of mission for the country.
The suspension of operations will severely impact the delivery of essential medical services to communities in Nasir and Ulang counties, which already face limited healthcare access.
South Sudan, plagued by chronic instability, violence, and extreme poverty, is currently grappling with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by severe flooding and an influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
This incident underscores the significant challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan and highlights the urgent need for a more secure environment for the delivery of essential aid.