The organization said unidentified gunmen opened fire on the boats, forcing their staff to jump into the river and swim to safety in a nearby village.

By James Chatim

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has condemned an armed attack on two of its marked boats in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

In a press statement on Thursday, MSF stated that there was an armed attack on two of its clearly marked boats on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Upper Nile State.

According to the medical charity, the boats were carrying six MSF staff members and were sailing on the river back to Ulang after delivering essential medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital.

“Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) strongly condemns the armed attack on two of its clearly marked boats on the afternoon of Wednesday, 15 January 2025 in Upper Nile State, South Sudan. The boats carrying six MSF staff members were sailing on the river back to Ulang after delivering essential medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital,” the organization noted in a statement, and added:

According to MSF, the attack puts the safety of humanitarian workers at risk and disrupts the delivery of critical medical aid to those in need. The organization said unidentified gunmen opened fire on the boats, forcing their staff to jump into the river and swim to safety in a nearby village.

“One staff member sustained an injury while escaping the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment. While all staff have safely arrived in Ulang, this attack is a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” MSF said.

The organization mentioned that as a result of the attack, it has been forced to suspend all movements for outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang Counties.

It 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.

The organization provides support to Nasir County hospital by delivering essential medical supplies and training hospital staff to offer surgical services. Additionally, MSF provides HIV and TB treatment and facilitates the transfer of critically ill patients to Nasir Hospital for surgical care.

In Ulang County, MSF operates a hospital together with a network of 13 outreach medical facilities, expanding access to essential healthcare for communities in remote areas.

In September last year, the organization suspended its outreach activities in Yei, Central Equatoria state, when its marked vehicles were attacked by gunmen while on their way to Yei town from an outreach activity.

“We are deeply shocked by this unacceptable attack on the provision of neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance for communities in need,” says Iqbal Huda, MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan. “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,” he added.