Ebola screening suspended in South Sudan after gunmen kill 3 aid workers

The ongoing screening service for Ebola in South Sudan has been suspended following the killing of three aid workers in the country.

The development was announced on Wednesday by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which said three of its aid workers were killed during clashes between rival groups in the country’s central Equatorial region.

According to IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission, Jean-Philippe Chauzy, the organisation had suspended screening for Ebola at five border points between South Sudan, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, where an ongoing outbreak of the disease has killed thousands.

READ ALSO: Nearly 2.3m Zambian’s at risk of food shortages, Red Cross warns

‎”We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and friends,” Chauzy said in a statement issued in Juba.

The IOM also added that a female volunteer and a four-year-old son of the murdered female aid worker were abducted during the attack.

“Their whereabouts remain unknown,” IOM said.

“We call for the perpetrators of these senseless acts of violence against innocent civilians and humanitarians to be brought to justice.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now