Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has strongly condemned the armed attack on two of its boats in Upper Nile State on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
The boats, clearly marked with MSF insignia, were carrying six staff members returning to Ulang after delivering essential medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital.
The attack occurred when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the boats. The MSF staff were forced to leap into the river and swim to safety, reaching a nearby village. One staff member was injured during the escape and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Thankfully, all staff have now safely arrived in Ulang, but the incident underscores the dangerous conditions faced by humanitarian workers in the region.
“This attack on healthcare workers is utterly unacceptable and highlights the increasingly volatile environment in which humanitarian organizations operate in South Sudan,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan.
“People in Nasir and Ulang counties already struggle with limited access to healthcare, and this violence further disrupts the delivery of life-saving medical aid, putting them at even greater risk.”
In response to the attack, MSF has suspended all outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang Counties. The organization is calling for immediate action to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and to guarantee unimpeded access to essential medical care for those in need.
