MSF downsizes staff in Lankien, Pieri as tensions escalate in Jonglei State

BOR – The international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has temporarily reduced its staff presence in Lankien and Pieri, both located in northern Jonglei State, due to a worsening security situation in the area.

In a statement released this week, MSF said the decision was taken as a precaution to ensure the safety of its personnel while maintaining the continuity of lifesaving medical services for thousands of people who rely on its support.

Despite the scaled-down presence of both international and national staff, MSF confirmed that its facilities remain operational. Essential services — including emergency healthcare, maternal and child health, treatment of malaria and malnutrition, and care for victims of violence — continue to be offered.

The organisation emphasised that it is closely tracking developments on the ground and will restore full operations as soon as conditions permit.

This latest development follows recent armed clashes in Uror County between rival Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) factions loyal to Acting SPLM-IO Chairman Nathaniel Oyet and forces aligned with Gen. Simon Gatwech.

The confrontation, which heightened tensions in a region already prone to instability, was followed by subsequent bombing by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in an attempt to neutralise tensions.

Jonglei State remains one of South Sudan’s most volatile regions, persistently affected by intercommunal violence, cattle raids, revenge attacks, and sporadic armed confrontations. These recurring incidents often lead to casualties, displacement, and the destruction of livelihoods, further limiting communities’ access to food, shelter, and medical care.

Humanitarian agencies have also reported a rise in security incidents along key roads and within villages in Uror County in recent months. These disruptions have impeded aid delivery and delayed the transportation of vital medical supplies to Lankien and Pieri.

Health experts warn that any reduction in humanitarian presence in such remote and underserved locations could further deepen the crisis, as MSF is among the few organisations consistently providing medical services in the area.

MSF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the people of South Sudan, particularly in regions where health needs are most acute. It called on all armed actors to respect and protect civilians, medical personnel, and health facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The organisation also appealed to local communities to collaborate with humanitarian workers to ensure unimpeded access to those in urgent need of care.

MSF has been active in South Sudan since 1983, providing free, lifesaving medical assistance to communities affected by conflict, displacement, and disease outbreaks across states, including Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria. Over the decades, its teams have treated hundreds of thousands of patients for malaria, malnutrition, and infectious diseases, while responding to cholera and measles outbreaks.

As violence continues to escalate in several parts of the country, aid agencies warn that insecurity, limited access, and shrinking humanitarian funding are increasingly jeopardising their ability to deliver critical services to vulnerable populations.