Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Monday condemned the armed looting and forced closure of its hospital in Ulang County, Upper Nile State, calling the attack a violation of humanitarian principles.
Dozens of armed men stormed the MSF hospital and office in Ulang town on the morning of April 14, threatening staff and stealing medical supplies. The facility, the only functioning health center in the area, has suspended all services. MSF did not identify the attackers.
On the night of April 13, as violence drew closer to Ulang town, patients began fleeing the hospital despite needing medical care, MSF said. At the time, more than 100 patients were receiving critical treatment, including trauma, maternity, and pediatric care. Some remained as long as possible but were forced to flee when armed men entered and looted the facility room by room.
“We are outraged by the attack on our hospital and the threats against our medical staff in Ulang,” said Zakariya Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan. “This facility has been a lifeline for the community at a time of escalating violence and an active cholera outbreak. Such attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers are completely unacceptable.”
The violence forced patients, including trauma, maternity, and pediatric cases, to flee. No MSF staff were injured, but the organization expressed grave concern for their safety and displaced patients.
“The safety of our staff and patients is our foremost priority,” Mwatia said. “This unacceptable act of violence shows a complete disregard for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.”
The attack follows growing insecurity in Upper Nile. In January, armed men attacked MSF boats delivering medical supplies, suspending outreach activities.
Since 2018, MSF has operated the 60-bed hospital and supported primary health centers in Ulang.
“MSF remains committed to providing impartial, lifesaving care wherever it is needed, but the safety of patients and health workers must be guaranteed,” Mwatia said.