MSF Workers Missing in South Sudan Following Attacks on Medical Facilities
Twenty-six staff members of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders remain unaccounted for a full month after attacks on two of its facilities in South Sudan. The organisation, known by its French acronym MSF, confirmed the distressing situation in a statement released on Monday, highlighting the ongoing insecurity in the region.
Attacks in Jonglei State
The incidents occurred on February 3 in Jonglei State, located northeast of the capital, Juba. According to MSF, a hospital in the town of Lankien was bombed by government forces, while another medical facility in Pieri was raided by unknown assailants. Both towns are situated in opposition-held areas, where violence has displaced approximately 280,000 people since December.
Following the attacks, staff at these facilities fled alongside much of the local population into deeply rural areas, where armed clashes and aerial bombardments have continued unabated. MSF stated that out of 291 colleagues working in Lankien and Pieri, 26 have lost contact amid the chaos.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict in Jonglei State intensified sharply in December when opposition forces captured a series of government outposts in the north central region. In January, the government launched a counteroffensive, recapturing most of the lost territory. This escalation has led to widespread displacement and suffering.
Displaced individuals in Akobo, an opposition-held town near the Ethiopian border, have described horrific violence perpetrated by government fighters. Many reported being unable to find food or water as they walked for days to reach safety, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation.
Broader Pattern of Attacks on Aid Workers
The assaults on MSF facilities are part of a disturbing increase in violence targeting humanitarian staff, supplies, and infrastructure. Aid groups note that MSF facilities alone have been attacked ten times over the past twelve months, severely impacting healthcare services in conflict zones.
Yashovardhan, MSF head of mission in South Sudan, who uses only one name, expressed deep concern: "This violence has taken an unbearable toll not only on health care services, but on the very people who kept them running. Medical workers must never be targets. We are deeply concerned about what has happened to our colleagues and the communities we serve."
Challenges in Communication and Safety
The lack of communication with the missing staff may be linked to limited network connectivity in much of Jonglei State, complicating efforts to locate them. Staff members who have been contacted described scenes of destruction, violence, and extreme hardships, painting a grim picture of the conditions on the ground.
As the situation remains volatile, MSF continues to advocate for the protection of medical personnel and calls for urgent action to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers in South Sudan.
