The United Nations condemned an early morning airstrike on a hospital in Old Fangak, in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, on May 3.
In a statement, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and humanitarian facilities.
The attack killed at least seven civilians and injured more than 20, while suspending critical medical care for over 100,000 people. The hospital is operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Following the strike, town residents fled, and aid teams from local and international organizations evacuated many staff. Some patients were relocated within Fangak County, where the U.N. was airlifting essential medical supplies to address short-term shortages.
The airstrike follows recent attacks on hospitals in Ulang and Nasir, in neighboring Upper Nile State—the only healthcare facilities in those areas.
“People in these areas are already battling flooding, food shortages, and disease. The destruction of critical health infrastructure and continued fighting puts innocent South Sudanese lives at risk,” said acting Humanitarian Coordinator Marie-Helene Verney.
The U.N. warned that the disruption would severely affect children, while women and girls would lose access to essential health services, including maternal, sexual, and reproductive care. Rape and sexual violence response programs have also been suspended.
Verney urged an end to fighting, which has displaced over 130,000 people from Nasir, Ulang, and Fangak counties in the past two months, leaving many without livelihoods or basic services. She stressed that civilians and aid workers must be protected.
She also repeated calls for safe humanitarian access to deliver aid.
From January to April 2025, the U.N. documented at least eight attacks on health facilities in Upper Nile, including airstrikes on Jikmir and Kuich clinics, looting, and destruction of medical storage infrastructure.