Juba, South Sudan — Medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF) has condemned an air strike that hit one of its hospitals in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, describing the attack as part of a troubling pattern of violence against healthcare facilities in the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, MSF said its hospital in Lankien, Jonglei State, was struck during a government air raid on Tuesday night amid renewed clashes between government forces and a coalition of opposition groups in opposition-held areas.
The attack marks the 10th incident targeting an MSF-run medical facility in South Sudan within the past 12 months, the organisation said.
According to MSF, the hospital had been evacuated and patients discharged just hours before the strike after the organisation received intelligence warning of a possible attack on the town. Despite the precautionary evacuation, one MSF staff member sustained minor injuries.
“The hospital’s main warehouse was destroyed during the attack, and we lost most of our critical medical supplies,” MSF said, warning that the loss will severely impact the delivery of life-saving care in the region.
Health Facilities Looted, Staff Forced to Flee
In a separate incident on the same day, MSF reported that its health facility in Pieri, also in Jonglei State, was looted by unidentified assailants, rendering it unusable.
“Our colleagues from Lankien and Pieri were forced to flee alongside the local community,” MSF said, adding that their whereabouts remain unknown as the organisation works to re-establish communication.
MSF’s Operations Manager in South Sudan, Gul Badshah, stressed that the organisation had repeatedly shared the GPS coordinates of all its medical facilities with the government and all parties to the conflict.
“We have confirmation that all sides are aware of our locations. Despite this, our facilities continue to be attacked,” Badshah said.
Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny and South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
‘Enormous Humanitarian Needs’
Jonglei State remains one of the regions hardest hit by conflict, food insecurity and limited access to healthcare. The United Nations estimates that more than 280,000 people have been displaced by fighting and aerial bombardments in Jonglei since December.
MSF warned that it was the only healthcare provider for approximately 250,000 people in Lankien and Pieri, cautioning that continued attacks on its facilities could leave entire communities without medical care.
“While we are fully aware of the enormous humanitarian needs in South Sudan, it is unacceptable for healthcare workers and facilities to be targeted,” Badshah said, adding that MSF would take “necessary decisions” to protect its staff and operations.
Hospitals Closed, Services Suspended
MSF revealed that repeated attacks have already forced the closure of two hospitals in the Greater Upper Nile region and the suspension of general healthcare services across Jonglei, Upper Nile and Central Equatoria states.
The organisation has operated in what is now South Sudan for over four decades, providing emergency medical care through years of conflict and instability.
South Sudan, the world’s newest nation since gaining independence in 2011, continues to grapple with civil war, widespread poverty and systemic corruption, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis.
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