MSF suspends staff movement in Nasir County after attack

An MSF speedboat leaves Toch to deliver hepatitis E vaccines to the MSF hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State (Photo by MSF)

By Awan Achiek

Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF) said on Thursday it is suspending staff movement in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, after an attack on its boats-marked with insignia.

On 15 January 2025, unknown armed men opened fire at MSF-marked boats carrying aid and six MSF staff along the Nile River bank while returning from Ulang after delivering essential medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital, said the medical charity in a statement.

It disclosed MSF staff was forced to jump into the river and swim to safety in a nearby village, adding one staff member sustained an injury while escaping the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Zakaria Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, said these attacks put the safety of humanitarian workers at risk and disrupt the delivery of critical medical aid to those in need.

“Such attacks on healthcare workers are unacceptable and highlight the volatile environment in which humanitarian organizations operate in South Sudan,” said Mwatia.

Mwatia said while all staff have safely arrived in Ulang, the attack amounts to a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

“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,” he said.

Mwatia said the attack forced MSF to suspend all movements for outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang Counties.

He called for immediate measures to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian workers and the unimpeded delivery of essential medical care to those in need.

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