The Embassy of the United States of America in Juba has directed all U.S. Government-funded projects and implementing partners to immediately withdraw U.S. Government-funded laboratory personnel and equipment from the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) facility in Juba.

A letter from the U.S. Mission to the South Sudan foreign ministry, dated 24 March, said that a person known for diverting aid, who was named, has taken over the NPHL facility, and that soldiers occupy it.

When contacted, SSPDF Spokesman Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the matter is beyond him.

Meanwhile, Amb. Thomas Kenneth Elisapana, the foreign ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed receipt of the letter.

For his part, Edmund Yakani, the executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), slammed the armed forces for disrupting humanitarian efforts.

South Sudan’s health sector is heavily dependent on donor funding, with external partners providing an estimated 85% of healthcare services nationwide.