Emergency medical aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres said it was forced to suspend its operations in Gumuruk, Jonglei state of Sudan, due to security concerns.
The aid agency urged all armed groups, community members, and political parties in Southern Sudan to respect the neutrality of MSF staff, activities and facilities.
“Attacks on our staff and clinics prevent us from providing essential medical aid,” said Rob Mulder, MSF head of mission in Southern Sudan. “These incidents are totally unacceptable as they stop us from accessing patients and put our staff at risk.”
MSF said its clinic in Gumuruk was robbed twice this month. An armed group stole boxes of therapeutic ready-to-use food, which the agency uses to treat severely malnourished children. Four MSF staff travelling by boat from Pibor to Gumuruk were also “violently robbed” by armed men.
The agency’s Gumuruk clinic provides basic medical care such as general consultations, treatment for malnutrition, antenatal care, and vaccinations for a population of more than 30,000.
