WFP Worker Killed in South Sudan

A contractor working with the World Food Programme (WFP) has been killed in South Sudan, the agency confirmed to AFP on Wednesday, following a spate of attacks on humanitarian operations in the violence-hit nation.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival Riek Machar. Much of the unrest has been concentrated in Jonglei state, where the United Nations says at least 280,000 people have been displaced.

Aid agencies and non-governmental organisations have increasingly come under fire, with health centres destroyed and food shipments ambushed and looted.

Tomson Phiri, WFP’s spokesperson in South Sudan, told AFP that a private contractor was attacked on Tuesday morning in Ngueny, located in Nasir County of Upper Nile State. He said the individual was “attacked by an unknown gunman”.

“Tragically, the contractor died from their wounds,” he said, noting that WFP was collecting more details and “working closely with local authorities investigating the incident”.

According to local media, the victim was a Kenyan national. WFP did not release additional information.

“Humanitarians should never be a target,” Phiri added. “The safety and security of WFP personnel and the people we serve remains WFP’s top priority.”

The killing occurred just weeks after WFP halted activities in northern parts of the country when a river convoy transporting 1,500 tonnes of relief supplies was attacked and looted.

Other organisations have also reported assaults on their facilities. In early February, UK-based charity Save the Children said its primary healthcare centre in Walgak had been burned and looted.

During the same period, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that its hospital in Lankien was struck by an air raid that destroyed its main warehouse, wiping out critical medical supplies and leaving staff with minor injuries.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan — the world’s youngest nation — has struggled with civil conflict, entrenched poverty and widespread corruption.