Five humanitarian workers were killed and four others injured when gunmen ambushed a convoy in Duk County in South Sudan's Jonglei State, the United Nations said. Several civilians were also reported killed or wounded, although the initial account did not provide a precise civilian toll.
The attack occurred on Monday as staff working with the John Dau Foundation travelled between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Panyang Payam. The foundation said the workers were returning from a training session supported by the World Food Programme. Their convoy was operated by a local humanitarian partner and was clearly marked, according to the UN.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organisation was deeply saddened by the deaths and joined South Sudan's resident and humanitarian coordinator, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, in condemning the attack. Dujarric called for a prompt investigation and said violence against humanitarian personnel was unacceptable and violated international humanitarian law.
The John Dau Foundation described the ambush as the gravest loss in its history. Its statement asked partners and communities to support the bereaved families and the wider organisation. No attacker was identified and no arrests were reported, leaving responsibility unresolved.
The deaths added to an already severe toll among people delivering assistance in South Sudan. Dujarric said 29 humanitarian workers and contractors had been killed since the beginning of 2026. That figure, coupled with the attack on a marked vehicle, raised further concern about whether aid organisations can safely reach communities dependent on outside support.
The ambush occurred against a wider rise in violence. In separate remarks, the UN spokesperson cited a report by the UN Mission in South Sudan that documented more than 760 killings from January through March. That represented an 89 percent increase from the preceding quarter. The mission also recorded a sharp increase in conflict-related sexual violence.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the mission, urged all parties to comply with their duties under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
South Sudan has faced repeated deadly conflicts since becoming independent in 2011, contributing to a deep humanitarian crisis. In that context, attacks on relief staff have consequences beyond the immediate victims: they can interrupt programmes, restrict travel and make assistance harder to deliver.
For the June 29 ambush, the central unanswered questions concern who carried it out, why the convoy was targeted and how the assailants reached a clearly identified humanitarian vehicle. The UN's demand for an investigation reflects the absence of verified answers in the initial reporting. No motive was reported, and the identities of the gunmen remained unknown.
