Two Danish aid organisation members killed in South Sudan

Local workers were clearning mines for the Danish Refugee Council

Two employees from the Danish aid organisation Danish Refugee Council have been shot and killed by unknown gunmen in South Sudan.

The two aid workers were locals and part of the organisation’s mine and bomb clearing division, Danish Demining Group (DDG), operating in the Yei region of the embattled country.

“It is with great sadness that we received the news this morning about the tragic deaths of two staff members in South Sudan,” said Tammy Hall, the head of DDG.

“Our thoughts are with the family members and colleagues in South Sudan. On behalf of the Danish Refugee Council and the Danish Demining Group, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families of our fallen colleagues, and to the entire South Sudan team.”

READ MORE: Denmark unveils new South Sudan strategy

Danish presence
The DDG workers were part of a team of seven who were travelling from their base in Yei to their work location when the vehicle they were driving was ambushed. The remaining five employees escaped unharmed.

The Danish Refugee Council has been operating in the area that is now South Sudan since 2005. DDG followed suit in 2006.

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, but the young nation descended into civil war two years later, after president Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of planning a coup. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since then and around a million have been forced to flee their homes.

Earlier this year, the Danish foreign minister, Kristian Jensen, unveiled a new strategy for Denmark’s continued engagement in South Sudan looking ahead to 2018.




  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.