Doctors Without Borders Celebrates 40 Years of Life-Saving Aid in South Sudan, Calls for Continued Support
In a remarkable milestone, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is celebrating 40 years of providing life-saving aid in South Sudan. Over the past four decades, MSF has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, delivering crucial medical assistance to those affected by conflict, disease, and displacement in the world’s youngest nation.
Throughout its time in South Sudan, MSF has worked in collaboration with local authorities and communities to enhance the impact of their work and effectively address the complex challenges faced by the people. These 40 years have been a testament to the resilience of the South Sudanese people and the unwavering dedication of the MSF teams.
Despite significant progress, the country continues to grapple with immense needs, ongoing crises such as conflict and displacement, and new challenges brought on by climate change. While MSF remains committed to responding to emergencies and bridging health gaps, sustained support from other humanitarian groups is urgently needed.
MSF’s journey in South Sudan began in 1983 amidst conflict and hostilities in neighboring Uganda. The organization launched its first project in Yei, Central Equatoria, to provide emergency medical care to host communities and refugees fleeing civil unrest in Uganda. What started as a refuge for those escaping conflict soon became a region grappling with its own conflicts.
As the number of refugees and host communities in need grew, MSF expanded its activities to respond to conflict-induced displacements, famine, and disease outbreaks. They provided vital medical treatment, carried out vaccination campaigns, implemented clean water and sanitation initiatives, and distributed non-food items. Today, MSF has an extensive operational footprint in South Sudan, with 13 projects nationwide, leaving a profound impact on the lives of thousands.
However, the path to progress has not been without obstacles. Following a long and brutal civil war, South Sudan attained self-rule and relative calm in 2011. Hope flourished, only to be shattered when conflict erupted again in 2013 between the government and opposition forces, leading to a devastating civil war that claimed countless lives and forced one in three people to flee from their homes.
In addition to ongoing conflicts, the country faces concurrent emergencies such as food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and severe flooding. Last year, South Sudan experienced catastrophic floods, with about two-thirds of the country submerged. The severity and impact of these floods have worsened over the years, uprooting people, destroying croplands, killing livestock, and damaging essential infrastructure like houses, schools, and health facilities. Flooding exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, especially in a country scarred by violence and plagued by a fragile healthcare system and high levels of malnutrition.
Accessing healthcare is a significant challenge for patients across South Sudan, compounded by obstacles like flooding, lack of facilities, and insecurity. Many mothers and pregnant women in remote areas are unable to reach medical facilities, placing their lives and the lives of their unborn babies at risk. To overcome these barriers, MSF teams have been running clinics, conducting outreach and preventative activities, and training community healthcare workers in remote regions to support the most vulnerable communities.
After years of conflict and underinvestment, South Sudan continues to face severe shortages of health infrastructure and qualified medical professionals. The development of a robust healthcare system remains a significant challenge. The MSF Academy for Healthcare is playing a vital role in addressing this issue by training locally hired South Sudanese healthcare workers in various states. These efforts aim to strengthen competencies and improve the quality of care, leaving a long-term impact on healthcare standards in the country.
As South Sudan enters its twelfth year of independence, the needs remain immense. Ongoing conflicts, displacement, climate change, and other challenges further worsen an already deplorable humanitarian situation. According to the United Nations, approximately 9.4 million people, two-thirds of the population, require humanitarian assistance, healthcare, and protection. However, MSF has noticed a gradual reduction in international funding for health in the country, posing a heightened risk of severe health and social impacts on the population. It is crucial for the government of South Sudan and international development sector partners to invest, engage, and support the country’s health system. Sustained and consistent investment is necessary to prevent further deterioration and potential future crises.
The work of MSF in South Sudan serves as a reminder of the enormous challenges faced by the nation and the tireless efforts required to address them. While progress has been made over the past 40 years, much remains to be done. The celebration of this milestone should serve as a call to action for continued support and collective efforts to alleviate the suffering of the South Sudanese people and build a brighter future for the nation.
