War victims outstretch MSF clinic in Leer
The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said its healthcare unit in Leer County, Upper Nile State, is likely to be overwhelmed due to the continuous influx of wounded war victims.
Since the start of the clashes alleged to be between the main armed parties of the revitalised peace agreement, the facility has received more than 30 wounded civilians and survivors of sexual violence.
The fighting has not only resulted in the deaths of dozens of unarmed civilians, including MSF staff, Peter Mathor Tap, but has also displaced thousands who are currently in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
“The level of atrocities witnessed, the persisting fear of being attacked, and the widespread destruction of medical facilities are severely affecting access to healthcare and even health-seeking behaviours, as people are reluctant to travel to search for treatment,” said Federica Franco, MSF Head of Mission for South Sudan.
Federica added, “Thousands of people displaced are in urgent need of humanitarian aid and medical care.” We call on all armed groups to respect international humanitarian law and immediately cease targeting civilians and health facilities. “
Peter’s death marked the second MSF staff member killed in Leer County since December 2021.
Due to a surge in insecurity, humanitarian agencies have pulled out of the area, with the MSF clinic remaining as one of the few fully functioning healthcare facilities in the entire county, and the only facility providing advanced emergency care.
Earlier this month, Leer County Commissioner Stephen, Taker Riak, reported that at least 35 civilians had been killed in the violence and that the number could be far higher because many were still missing.
“We found that the number of people who died was 35. These are pure civilians, and they are not the soldiers who are fighting. On the side of Kit-Gwang or IO, we never know, but these are civilians that I am talking about, “the commissioner said.
The attacks in the area that prompted a protest by sons and daughters of the Leer in the capital, Juba, began days after the eruption of confrontation in Mirmir between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO.
But both the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have denied involvement in the violence. The Unity State Deputy Governor recently reported that a senior SPLM-IO official was killed in the hideout along with several other unarmed civilians.
Last week, President Salva Kiir formed an investigation committee headed by Manawa Peter, the National Minister of Water and Irrigation, to probe into the violence, but the committee is yet to commence its work amidst continuous clashes.
