A United Nations official has condemned a February 14 attack on a vehicle with medical supplies in Malek, Lakes States.

The United Nations Deputy Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, termed the Sunday attack unfortunate and inhumane. 

According to a statement from Mr Noudéhou, dated February 17, 2021,  the attacked vehicle was hired by the Lakes State’s ministry of health and it was transporting polio vaccination team and supplies from Rumbek Centre to Rumbek North.

The Malek attack, which was executed by unknown men, left three people dead, four wounded and one missing.

“This violent attack is unacceptable. It compromises the ability of health workers to provide assistance to communities impacted by the ongoing polio outbreak,” said Noudéhou

He said the motive behind the attack is unclear. And, added the vehicle was carrying Information Contending Education and Communication material to sensitise the population about polio vaccination, as well as polio vaccines and packs.

The nation-wide vaccination campaign in the country started on Tuesday, February 16. It is the second vaccination since the outbreak hit the nation.

 The campaign would cover 10 states in the country except six counties in Western Equatoria (Yambio, Nzara, Tambula).

The campaign was supported by the Ministry of Health in South Sudan, the UNICEF and the World Health Organization in order to respond to the polio outbreak.