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Refugee Camp in South Sudan
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YEI, SOUTH SUDAN- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has suspended its medical activities in Yei, South Sudan, following a violent attack on its staff.
The incident occurred on Friday, September 20, when armed men stopped MSF personnel at gunpoint, forced them out of their vehicle, and looted the organization's property. Two staff members were released immediately, while two others were taken hostage and freed 24 hours later.
MSF has been operating in the conflict-torn region since 1983, providing critical healthcare services to displaced and remote communities. However, this latest attack marks the third such incident in the area over the past three months, severely compromising MSF's ability to continue its medical outreach. In a statement, the organization emphasized that activities will remain suspended until the safety of its staff can be guaranteed.
Iqbal Huda, MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan, expressed deep concern:
"As a result of the attack, our outreach movements and activities to communities surrounding Yei and Morobo have been suspended until we can have concrete guarantees that medical, humanitarian services, and lifesaving work can continue unhindered in the area."
The humanitarian situation in South Sudan has become increasingly precarious, with violence against aid workers on the rise. The country's economic instability, worsened by a civil war in 2018 and ongoing inter-group conflicts, has further restricted access to essential healthcare services.
Agencies
