Save the Children has announced the indefinite suspension of its operations in Walgak, Akobo County, Jonglei State, following the destruction and looting of its office and Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) by armed men amid escalating violence in the area.
The humanitarian organization confirmed that its field office was burned to the ground and its health facility destroyed, forcing the withdrawal of all 30 staff members from Walgak. The attack has cut off essential health and humanitarian services for hundreds of children and families who relied on the organization for lifesaving support.
Save the Children’s South Sudan Country Director, Chris Nyamandi, said the decision was taken after repeated attacks on humanitarian assets, despite ongoing engagement with local authorities and community leaders.
“We have had no choice but to indefinitely suspend our operations in Walgak following repeated attacks, despite the devastating impact this will have on families and children who rely on us for essential services. When aid facilities are attacked, it is civilians—especially children—who suffer the consequences. These actions are unacceptable and must stop,” Nyamandi said.
The latest incident followed the capture of four Save the Children vehicles last week. Armed groups subsequently looted and destroyed both the office and the health facility during weeks of intensified violence in Akobo County.
The renewed insecurity is linked to ongoing clashes between forces aligned with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), particularly in parts of Jonglei State. Tensions have escalated since late December, leading to widespread displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and disruption of humanitarian operations, especially in the Greater Upper Nile region.
Save the Children confirmed that no staff members or community residents were injured during the attacks. However, the organization warned that displacement continues to rise, with over 235,000 people displaced in the past four weeksdue to escalating violence in eastern Jonglei.
Jonglei is one of South Sudan’s most food-insecure regions, and the current conflict has further strained already limited access to clean water, sanitation, and health services. Thousands of displaced families are seeking refuge in neighboring areas, where humanitarian needs remain critical.
Save the Children said it has emergency supplies pre-positioned and stands ready to resume operations once safe, sustained, and unhindered access to affected communities is restored.
The United Nations has warned that continued fighting will significantly worsen food insecurity in Jonglei and Upper Nile states and accelerate the spread of cholera, with treatment centers already overstretched.
Save the Children has called on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease attacks on humanitarian infrastructure, respect international humanitarian law, and uphold their obligations to protect civilians, aid workers, and humanitarian assets. The organization emphasized that guaranteeing humanitarian access is essential to prevent further suffering among vulnerable populations, particularly children.
