Population in Leer, South Sudan live in fear of rape, looting and violence

By

Peter Louis

The population in Leer, South Sudan, continues to live in fear of rape, looting and violence after at least four incidents were recorded in March.

In the most recent incident on March 14, twenty seven civilians – mostly women and children – fled to the Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF compound seeking shelter as their houses were looted by a group of men carrying guns. “In the evening of March 14, the MSF teams could hear screaming coming from the village. Then, suddenly, the MSF teams saw civilians running in our direction. They were running for their lives and, as they feel there is no one to turn to, they take shelter with MSF,” said Jens Pagotto, MSF emergency coordinator in Leer County.

In other recent incidents of armed looting recorded earlier in March, at least one person was killed, at least two women raped and one patient was brought to the MSF Hospital in Leer to be treated for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. “The security situation for the people living in Leer remains desperate, with increasingly regular instances of armed robbery, violent attacks and sexual violence against women,” said Pagotto.

MSF requested that the local authorities take immediate action to ensure the protection of civilians in Leer and other conflict affected areas of South Sudan.

The international NGO has been providing humanitarian and medical assistance in Leer for over 25 years. In the first two months of 2016 alone, MSF provided medical assistance to nearly 13,000 patients in Leer and Thonyor, including 73 for violence-related injuries.

Peter Louis

Peter Louis works as a freelance Videographer and Journalist in the Republic of South Sudan. He previously worked for Ebony TV, South Sudan Radio and South Sudan TV, Wau.