Armed groups have looted and burned down a Save the Children field office and destroyed a healthcare centre in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, the aid agency said Thursday, as escalating violence displaced more than 235,000 people in the past month.
The attacks occurred in Walgak, in Akobo County, where Save the Children said it had suspended all operations and withdrawn its 30 staff after its office was razed and its primary healthcare centre destroyed, cutting off essential services for hundreds of children and families.
The incidents followed the seizure of four Save the Children vehicles last week, the organisation said.
On Thursday, South Sudan’s military (SSPDF) said it had captured Walgak, in Akobo West, from the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Save the Children said no staff members were injured in the attacks and there were no reported casualties among the surrounding community, although the number of people fleeing the violence was rising daily.
Fighting has intensified across South Sudan since late December, particularly in Jonglei, the country’s largest and one of its most food-insecure states. Thousands of people have fled their homes, many arriving in neighbouring areas with little access to water, sanitation and healthcare, and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Save the Children said it has relief supplies ready to deploy once the affected areas can be accessed safely.
The United Nations has warned that the violence is likely to sharply worsen food insecurity, especially in northern Jonglei and Upper Nile states, and is exacerbating a cholera outbreak, with treatment centres overwhelmed.
Chris Nyamandi, Save the Children’s South Sudan country director, said the security situation was continuing to deteriorate despite engagement with authorities and community leaders.
“We have had no choice but to indefinitely suspend our operations in Walgak following repeated attacks, despite the impact this will have on families and children who rely on us for essential services,” Nyamandi said.
“When aid facilities are attacked, it is civilians – especially children – who suffer the consequences. These actions are unacceptable and must stop.”
He called for the protection of humanitarian assets, warning that attacks on aid organisations deepen the suffering of already vulnerable communities.
Save the Children urged all parties to the conflict to halt attacks on humanitarian infrastructure, respect international humanitarian law and guarantee safe and unhindered access for aid workers.