The UN humanitarian agency on Wednesday condemned the killing of three aid workers in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria region by unknown gunmen.
Alain Noudehou, humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, said he regretted the incident which took place in Morobo county on Sunday, saying aid workers risk their lives every day to provide life-saving assistance to people in need in the country.
“Their safety and security must be assured at all times. I strongly condemn violence against humanitarian workers and demand that those responsible for these acts be brought to justice,” Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.
On Sunday, three International Organization for Migration (IOM) volunteers, one female and two males, were caught in crossfire during clashes that broke out between armed groups.
According to the UN agency, two other volunteers were wounded during the incident and one volunteer is currently missing.
“Our deepest condolences go to the families of the victims and to the affected organization,” Noudehou said.
IOM said earlier it has suspended Ebola Virus Disease screening at five sites along the border with the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and put on hold its support to health facilities in the area.
This is the first killing of aid workers reported in South Sudan since 2018, according to the UN.
At least 115 aid workers have been killed since the start of the conflict in December 2013. Most were South Sudanese nationals, said the UN.
