By Otto Abut
The Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF is appealing to the armed group in Leer to immediately cease targeting civilians and health facilities and respect international humanitarian law.
MSF Head of Mission for South Sudan, Federica Franco, strongly condemned armed groups’ indiscriminate violence that have killed and injured many innocent civilians in Leer, including children, elderly and persons with disabilities.
“We call on all armed groups to respect international humanitarian law and immediately cease targeting civilians and health facilities”, she says.
The MSF Head of Mission also reported that dozens of civilians, including an MSF staff member were killed as a result of the latest violence that erupted on the 4th April 2022 in Leer County in Unity State.
“We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the tragic death of our colleague, Peter. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” said Federica Franco, MSF Head of Mission for South Sudan.”
This is the second MSF staff member killed in Leer due to extreme violence since December 2021, Federica elaborated.
According to MSF Initial assessments report of wide scale destruction in Adok, Pilleny, Thonyor and Touchria, where numerous people were killed, homes were set on fire and properties looted.
As a result, thousands of people have been forcibly displaced, including MSF staff and that many people have sought refuge in the swamps, where they are at risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and malaria.
Since the latest fighting begun, the MSF clinic in Leer town has received 25 people with gunshot wounds, as well as several other trauma victims, including survivors of sexual violence.
MSF clinic continues to provide healthcare facilities and advanced emergency care in Leer County with the insecurity resulting to evacuation of several humanitarian organizations.