JUBA, South Sudan — At least 125 women and girls seeking food aid were raped, whipped and clubbed over 10 days this month in attacks described as “abhorrent” even amid the widespread sexual violence of South Sudan’s civil war, according to Doctors Without Borders.

The medical charity said on Saturday that the “dramatic increase” in sexual violence occurred between Nov. 19 and Thursday, as the women and girls were walking to a food distribution site in Bentiu in Unity State. In contrast, the group’s Bentiu clinic treated 104 survivors of sexual assault in the first 10 months of this year.

The United Nations mission chief in the country, David Shearer, said the “abhorrent” attacks were carried out by young men in military uniforms and civilian clothing.

The international agency has increased patrols in the area and has begun an investigation while urging the authorities to hold the attackers accountable.