Doctors Without Borders (MSF) condemned on Friday the South Sudanese government’s decision to ban humanitarian aid access to areas in Jonglei state, which has seen an escalation in fighting between rival factions this month.
Clashes erupted north of the capital, Juba, between army forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and forces affiliated with his former deputy, Riek Machar. The escalation has displaced at least 180,000 people, according to United Nations estimates.
MSF is the sole healthcare provider for approximately 400,000 people in the affected state. The organization reported that the government has banned humanitarian aid flights from reaching the areas of Lankien, Pieri, and Akobo, cutting off medical supplies, medical personnel, and preventing the evacuation of critically ill patients.
As a result of these restrictions, the organization was forced to evacuate its staff from Lankien and Akobo. Its team in Pieri was also forced to vacate its medical center on Thursday and leave with the local population, while most patients were sent home without care.
Abdalla Hussein, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan, warned of the consequences of this ban, stating: “Patients will die if the government continues to block access to humanitarian and medical aid” in Jonglei state.
