MSF Suspends Medical Activities in Yei Following Attack on Staff

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended all outreach activities in Yei, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, after a critical security incident involving its staff and personnel from a partner organization. The attack occurred on Friday, 20 September 2024, prompting MSF to halt operations until safety guarantees are in place for humanitarian workers.

The organization expressed strong condemnation of the assault on its health workers, noting that the people in Yei and its surroundings already face significant challenges in accessing medical care.

“We are deeply shocked by this unacceptable attack on the provision of neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance for communities in need,” said Iqbal Huda (Tidal), MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan. “As a result of the attack, our outreach movements and activities in the areas surrounding Yei and Morobo have been suspended until we receive concrete assurances that our medical, humanitarian services and lifesaving work can continue safely.”

The incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Friday when two marked MSF vehicles were returning to Yei from an outreach activity. Armed men stopped the vehicles, forcing the MSF staff out at gunpoint and looting both MSF property and personal belongings. Two MSF drivers were allowed to continue with the vehicles, while one MSF staff member and one worker from a partner organization were abducted and taken into the bush. Both hostages were safely released 24 hours later.

This attack marks the third such assault on humanitarian workers in the Yei region within the past three months, raising concerns about a pattern of violence targeting aid organizations. Until MSF can be assured of the safety of its staff and operations, the organization cannot guarantee a resumption of medical services in the region.

“The real victims of these attacks are the most vulnerable people living in underserved areas where MSF is often the only healthcare provider,” Huda emphasized. “Attacks against humanitarians and healthcare workers are unacceptable. They directly affect delivering essential services to communities in desperate need of healthcare.”

MSF called on all armed groups operating in the area to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and ensure the safe provision of humanitarian assistance. “We urge all parties to respect the neutrality of humanitarian work and allow aid to reach those who need it most,” Huda concluded.

MSF’s outreach activities have been vital for remote communities outside Yei town, where access to healthcare is severely limited. The suspension of services leaves these communities struggling with limited resources without critical medical aid until the situation improves.