MSF demands protection of civilians after deadly attack in Upper Nile State, South Sudan
The violence occurred shortly after 5:30 am when gunmen stormed the area and opened fire on sleeping residents.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling for the protection of civilians and its teams' unhindered access to all wounded following violence in Adong Payam, Upper Nile State, South Sudan.
This follows the eruption of violence against civilians in the area following an attack reportedly carried out by armed groups against the local community on Friday last week.
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The violence occurred shortly after 5:30 am when gunmen stormed the area and opened fire on sleeping residents.
Baliet County Commissioner Joseph Deng told Radio Tamazuj that the scene was chaotic as people ran in all directions, trying to escape the gunfire. Those who fled the area were forced to leave without their personal belongings.
Authorities believe the attackers came from neighbouring Ulang and Nasir counties, areas that have seen rising tensions and clashes this year.
During the attack, the assailants also stole more than 5,300 cattle, leaving the already traumatised community without livestock, its main source of livelihood.
In a statement, the medical humanitarian organisation said the escalating insecurity has had an immediate effect on aid delivery, as persistent security threats risk cutting off even more vulnerable communities from essential healthcare services.
This rapidly worsening crisis is placing immense strain on already fragile health and humanitarian systems.
The organisation, in coordination with the Ministry of Health (MoH), has responded to the critical influx of trauma patients in Malakal Teaching Hospital. As a result of the violence, the facility has received 50 wounded patients, including five who were critically injured requiring immediate surgical intervention.
At the same time, three deaths have been recorded at the facility, and others are reportedly missing.
"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, as many are reported missing. We are expecting to receive even more wounded," MSF head of mission in South Sudan, Zakaria Mwatia, said.
The ongoing escalation of violence in Upper Nile State has, in general, resulted in worsening humanitarian and medical situations, with humanitarian partners reporting over 60 deaths and 66 injuries, including 30 major injuries requiring urgent surgical and specialised care.
The region continues to face waves of intercommunal attacks, largely driven by cattle raiding, revenge killings, and longstanding ethnic tensions.
Reports indicate that weak law enforcement and high numbers of armed youth have made it difficult for authorities to prevent such incidents. MSF, however, expressed commitment to its humanitarian response to those affected by the violence.
"MSF remains committed to providing impartial medical care to all those affected by this violence, based solely on need. But our ability to do so must not be continually jeopardised by violence and disregard for humanitarian principles. We urge armed groups to spare civilians and to allow unhindered access to health care," says Mwatia.
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