Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says that conditions have reached ‘emergency levels’ in South Sudan and there is a high risk of epidemics.
In a press release the medical NGO stated that fighting is hindering the humanitarian response to the violence, noting that the departure of many NGOs has made resources even more scarce among the population.
MSF pointed out that even before the recent fighting “80 percent of healthcare and basic services in South Sudan were provided by non-governmental organisations.”
“Highly vulnerable people have just become even more vulnerable,“ said Raphael Gorgeu, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan. “We don’t know what will happen to the thousands of displaced and wounded people across the country.”
“Today, there is a high risk of epidemics,” added Gorgeu, “and if the fighting prevents us from gaining rapid and safe access to people in need – especially to pregnant women and children – conditions will quickly deteriorate.”
The medical organization said that it is trying to continue its clinics and emergency medical teams in several areas of the country but faces security problems as well as shortages of drugs and fuel to run generators.