MSF aid worker killed as fighting continues in Leer County
At least one aid worker from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been killed in the ongoing fighting in Leer County, Unity State.
This brings the total to over 130 aid workers so far killed in South Sudan since 2013.
The late Peter Mathor Tap, a long-serving staff member of Medicine Sans Frontieres (MSF), was among dozens of unarmed civilians reportedly killed last week in Leer.
MSF condemned the incident and called on the warring parties to cease hostility.
“The indiscriminate violence in Leer has resulted in the tragic deaths of innocent people, including MSF staff member Peter and his family, displacing thousands.
“MSF strongly denounces these attacks and calls on all armed groups to cease the atrocities towards civilians,” the MSF Twitter page reported on Monday.
According to the MSF, Peter died alongside some of his family members while off-duty in Leer County.
“It is with great sadness that MSF confirms the death of Peter Mathor Tap, who had been working with MSF since 2007 in Leer, South Sudan. Peter was killed while off-duty on April 10 when fighting erupted in Leer. We send our deep condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
An estimated 13 million people, more than half the South Sudanese population, are expected to face one of the worst humanitarian crises in 2022. The country is considered one of the most dangerous environments for the operation of humanitarian agencies.
This year alone, at least three aid workers have been killed when delivering assistance to people across the country. In February, one person was reportedly killed in Agok, and another in Mirmir. Several other people have been wounded in the attack.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, in February condemned the continued violence against the civilian population and aid workers in the country and called for an immediate end to the violations.
‘‘Attacks on civilians and humanitarian assets constitute grave violence under international humanitarian law. The humanitarian community urges all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and humanitarian personnel and assets, and calls on authorities to conduct a full investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice, “Ms. Beysolow stated.
Last week, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicolas Haysom, expressed disappointment in sub-national violence along with attacks by armed and youth militias that have spanned the country from north to south, from east to west.
“I was saddened to learn that only last week thousands of people in Leer, Unity State, were forced to flee their homes following a surge of violence, along with disturbing reports of sexual violence, looting, and destruction of civilians and humanitarian property,’’ he lamented.
“Civilians, including women and children, continue to bear the brunt of senseless violence. I strongly condemn these violent attacks on civilians but in particular attacks on humanitarians and the looting of life-saving supplies and assets, all of which are unacceptable, “Mr. Haysom told media on Thursday last week.
According to Unity State Deputy Governor, the two-week-long fighting in Leer County has destroyed livelihoods and displaced thousands in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
