South Sudan at Breaking Point: MSF Demands Protection of Civilians and Healthcare

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) released a report, 'They Killed Them While We Were Running', highlighting escalating violence in South Sudan. From January 2025 to April 2026, MSF suffered 12 attacks on its staff and facilities, depriving an estimated 762,000 people of healthcare access. Between 2024 and 2025, airstrikes surged from 2 to 138. MSF treated 6,095 violence-related patients in 2025 (up from 4,765 in 2024), with gunshot wound cases increasing by 77%. From January to April 2026, MSF treated over 1,800 patients, including 885 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Specific attacks include the bombing of an MSF-supported hospital in Old Fangak in May 2025. MSF urges the South Sudanese government, the SPLA-IO, and all conflict parties to protect civilians and medical infrastructure, which are protected under international humanitarian law.