Government told to prosecute perpetrators of crimes against aid workers  

JUBA – The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, has called on the government to hold the perpetrators of crimes against aid workers accountable after three healthcare workers were killed by unknown gunmen in Lakes State on Sunday.

On Sunday, unknown gunmen attacked a vehicle carrying a polio vaccination team and supplies from Rumbek Centre to Rumbek North, leaving three people dead, and wounded four healthcare workers.

The vehicle was hired by the Lakes’ State Ministry of Health carrying communication material to sensitize the population about polio vaccination, as well as polio vaccines and packs.

However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

The UN diplomat strongly condemns the attack on a vehicle in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Wednesday.

“This violent attack is unacceptable. It compromises the ability of health workers to provide assistance to communities impacted by the ongoing polio outbreak,” said Alain.

According to  Noudéhou, the attack carried out in Malek by unknown men left three people dead, four others wounded, and one missing who is feared dead.

“Our thoughts are with the people who have been affected by this attack and with the families of the victims,” Alain added.

The attacked came at a time when  the UNICEF and the World Health Organization are supporting the Ministry of Health in South Sudan to respond to a polio outbreak that started in September 2020  which has affected all the states in the country.

The nation-wide vaccination campaign starting from Feb 16, is the second vaccination round since the outbreak started in October last year.

The campaign will cover all 10 states in South Sudan, except six counties in Western Equatoria (Yambio, Nzara, Tambula, Nagero, Mvolo, and Ezo) which was covered in the November and December 2020 rounds.

All under-five children in the country are targeted in the campaign.