Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has strongly condemned the armed attack on two of its clearly marked boats on the afternoon of Wednesday, 15 January 2025 in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.
The boats, carrying six MSF staff, were on their way to Ulang after delivering essential medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital.
The medical charity said the attack puts the safety of humanitarian workers at risk and disrupts the delivery of critical medical aid to those in need.
“Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the boats, forcing the MSF staff to jump into the river and swim to safety in a nearby village,” the MSF statement reads in part. “One staff member sustained an injury while escaping the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment.”
While all staff have safely arrived in Ulang, this attack is a serious violation of humanitarian principles and international law, the medical charity said.
“Such attacks on healthcare workers are unacceptable and highlight the volatile environment in which humanitarian organizations operate in South Sudan,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. “The people living in Nasir and Ulang counties already face limited access to healthcare and the impact of such violence further jeopardizes the delivery of essential medical services, placing them at increased risk.”
As a result of this attack, MSF has been forced to suspend all movements for outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang counties. MSF calls for immediate measures to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian workers and the unimpeded delivery of essential medical care to those in need.
South Sudan authorities are yet to comment on the incident.