By Bunmi Yekini
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said on Monday it is “deeply alarmed” by a surge in violence in Adong Payam, Upper Nile State, after armed groups reportedly attacked the local community on 14 November, triggering a sharp rise in civilian casualties and overwhelming medical facilities.
MSF, working with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, said Malakal Teaching Hospital had received 50 wounded people, including five critically injured who required urgent surgery, while three patients had died. Humanitarian partners have reported more than 60 deaths from the attack and 66 injuries, including 30 major trauma cases needing specialised care.
“As many are reported missing, we are expecting to receive even more wounded,” said MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan, Zakaria Mwatia. “We call for the protection of civilians and for free, unhindered access to all wounded to ensure they receive the medical care they urgently need.”
MSF said the escalation of violence in Upper Nile State, an area already struggling with chronic insecurity, is placing “immense strain” on fragile health and humanitarian systems. The organisation warned that continued insecurity was hampering aid delivery and could further isolate vulnerable communities from essential healthcare.
“MSF remains committed to providing impartial medical care to all those affected by this violence, based solely on need,” Mwatia said. “But our ability to do so must not be continually jeopardised by violence and disregard for humanitarian principles. We urge armed groups to spare civilians and to allow unhindered access to health care.”
The latest violence adds to a series of humanitarian challenges in South Sudan, where recurring conflict, displacement and limited infrastructure continue to stretch emergency response capacity.