Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has resumed lifesaving and emergency healthcare services at its facility in Pieri, Jonglei State, citing urgent medical needs among the local population.
The medical charity said on Tuesday it had decided to restart activities in the Pieri area of Uror County because the facility was the only functioning healthcare centre serving tens of thousands of people in the area.
MSF suspended all services on Oct. 20 following instability and clashes in Pieri and evacuated all staff who could be relocated.
Although the security situation in Pieri remains volatile, MSF warned that any attack on its facility or medical staff, or any looting or damage to its property, would lead to the immediate suspension of all healthcare services in the area.
Such a suspension would increase the suffering of people who depend on MSF for medical care, particularly vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children and older people, the organisation said.
MSF also reiterated that it had indefinitely suspended all services in Lankien following the bombardment, looting, damage and vandalism of its hospital there on Feb. 3.
The organisation urged all parties to the conflict in Pieri to respect medical facilities and personnel, as well as civilians and civilian infrastructure, saying they must not be targeted under any circumstances.
MSF said it remains committed to providing healthcare to people in South Sudan.
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