Crime barricade tape. | Courtesy.

The Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan has condemned the killing of an aid worker in Greater Pibor Administrative Area on Monday.

Marie-Helene Verney said the South Sudanese nutrition officer, contracted by an international non-governmental organization was killed as a team of aid workers were on a field trip to respond to a suspected measles outbreak.

She did not provide further details including the victim’s name or the circumstances leading to his death and the identity of the perpetrators.

“I condemn in strongest terms the latest attack targeting humanitarians on 6 November, when a South Sudanese national aid worker contracted by an international non-governmental organization was killed,” Ms. Verney said in an email extended to Eye Radio.

“A nutrition officer who was going the extra mile so that the children of Boma, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, live to see the age of five, and who was killed in the line of duty.”

She termed the killing a deplorable act of violence which is unacceptable and called upon the South Sudanese authorities at national, state and local levels to safeguard the lives of civilians and humanitarians.

Ms. Verney further warned armed actors and individuals to stop the violence and harassment of humanitarian actors or be prepared to see them leave.

South Sudan tops list of most dangerous countries for aid workers in the world, and the humanitarian crisis deepens amid mounting needs, access constraints, and lack of funding, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

With 41 attacks on aid workers so far this year, South Sudan has recorded the highest number of attacks against aid workers, according to the 2023 Aid Worker Security Report.

The attacks have now left 23 aid workers dead and 36 injured.