There has been rising violence in recent weeks between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival Riek Machar, much of it centred on Jonglei state where at least 280,000 people have been displaced, according to the UN.

International charities and NGOs have also come under attack, with medical facilities destroyed and food convoys assaulted and looted.

Tomson Phiri, WFP’s spokesperson in South Sudan, confirmed to AFP that on Tuesday morning a private contractor in Ngueny in Nasir County in Upper Nile State was “attacked by an unknown gunman”.

“Tragically, the contractor died from their wounds,” he said, adding that WFP was urgently gathering additional information and “working closely with local authorities investigating the incident”.

Local media reported the individual was a Kenyan national.

WFP declined to give further details.

“Humanitarians should never be a target,” Phiri added. “The safety and security of WFP personnel and the people we serve remains WFP’s top priority.”

The incident comes only weeks after WFP suspended operations in the country’s north when a river convoy, carrying 1,500 tonnes of aid, was attacked and looted.

Other humanitarian organisations have also faced attacks.

In early February British charity Save the Children said its primary healthcare centre in Walgak town had been torched and looted.

That same week, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said its hospital in Lankien was hit by an airstrike that destroyed its main warehouse, causing the loss of critical supplies and leaving staff with minor injuries.

South Sudan, the world’s newest country, has been beset by civil war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011.

rbu/rlp