By Staff Writer
The United Nations has strongly condemned a deadly airstrike on a hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, which occurred early Saturday morning, May 3rd.
Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator demanded immediate protection for civilians and humanitarian facilities from all parties to the conflict.
The attack struck a hospital managed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), killing at least seven civilians and injuring more than 20 others, according to the UN statement released Sunday.
Critical medical supplies were destroyed, suspending essential healthcare for an estimated catchment population of over 100,000 people.
Reports indicate the town’s population has fled following the strike, while several local and international aid organizations have withdrawn many of their staff due to the insecurity. Some hospital patients were relocated to another location within Fangak County.
The UN confirmed it was airlifting essential medical supplies to the area on Sunday (May 4th) to replenish stocks in the short term and support the relocated patients.
This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on healthcare infrastructure in the region. Hospitals in Ulang and Nasir, in neighboring Upper Nile State – also the only health facilities in those locations – were reportedly attacked in recent weeks.
Furthermore, the UN tracked at least eight other conflict incidents affecting health facilities across Upper Nile between January and April 2025, including aerial bombings on Jikmir and Kuich facilities, looting, and the destruction of cold chain infrastructure.
“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.
Verney highlighted that the interruption of services will significantly impact children and limit women’s and girls’ access to essential health services, including maternal, sexual, and reproductive healthcare.
Critically, response services for survivors of rape and sexual violence have also been suspended in Old Fangak due to the attack.
She called for an end to the fighting, which the UN says has displaced over 130,000 people from the already vulnerable counties of Nasir, Ulang, and now Fangak in the past two months alone, depriving many more of livelihoods and essential services.
Verney emphasized that civilian populations must be protected, along with the aid workers providing basic services, and renewed calls for all parties to facilitate safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian teams and supplies to reach people in need.