Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Sunday called for the protection of civilians and unfettered access to the wounded after deadly violence erupted in Adong Payam in Baliet County.
Armed groups believed to have crossed into Baliet County from Nasir and Ulang counties attacked the community on Friday, triggering fresh displacement and a surge in trauma cases.
Baliet County lies roughly 20 km southeast of the Upper Nile State capital, Malakal.
MSF, working with the Ministry of Health, said in a statement that Malakal Teaching Hospital had so far received 50 wounded people, including five in critical condition who require urgent surgery. Three of the injured died after arrival, the group said.
“As many are reported missing, we are expecting to receive even more wounded,” said MSF head of mission Zakaria Mwatia. “We call for the protection of civilians and for free, unhindered access to all wounded to ensure they receive the medical care they urgently need.”
More than 60 people have been reported killed and at least 66 injured in the attack, including around 30 patients who need specialised surgical care.
Aid agencies say the violence is compounding an already fragile humanitarian situation in Upper Nile, where recurring clashes have repeatedly disrupted relief operations.
MSF warned that continued insecurity was hampering its ability to reach affected communities and could cut off access to essential health services for thousands. “MSF remains committed to providing impartial medical care to all those affected by this violence, based solely on need,” Mwatia said. “But our ability to do so must not be continually jeopardized by violence and disregard for humanitarian principles. We urge armed groups to spare civilians and to allow unhindered access to health care.