Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has evacuated key staff from its healthcare facility in Lankien town, Nyirol County, Jonglei State, citing a worsening security situation. The facility remains open and continues to provide critical medical services.
Airstrikes by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Dec. 29 hit areas near the MSF facility, the local market, and the airstrip used for medical referrals and supply deliveries.
In a statement Wednesday, MSF said twelve patients, including children and elderly men and women, were treated at the Lankien facility following the strikes. One patient later died. Most injuries were fractures and lacerations.
“MSF reiterates its call for the protection of medical facilities, healthcare workers, and patients in line with international humanitarian law,” said Ibrahim Muhammad, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan. “We also call for the protection of civilians and timely referrals of critical patients out of Lankien.”
In 2025, MSF documented at least eight attacks on health facilities and staff across South Sudan, forcing the closure of two hospitals and suspending primary care in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria states.
MSF has operated in South Sudan since 1983. It currently works in six states and two administrative areas, providing outpatient and inpatient care, and medical referrals. In 2024, MSF teams conducted over 800,000 outpatient consultations and provided inpatient care to more than 84,800 patients.