MSF continues to provide healthcare services in our other projects in Upper Nile state, including in Malakal and Renk counties
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 17, 2025/APO Group/ --
- After two violence incidents earlier this year, MSF has been forced to close our hospital in Ulang county, South Sudan, and end our support to 13 community-based health facilities.
- This has left 150,000 people with less access to healthcare, in an area where MSF's maternal services are a lifeline.
- All parties to conflict in South Sudan must adhere to international humanitarian law, cease such indiscriminate attacks, and ensure the protection of medical facilities, health workers, and patients.
People in remote areas of Upper Nile state in South Sudan are suffering from a lack of access to healthcare, since attacks on medical boats and armed looting in medical facilities since the beginning of the year have forced Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to close our hospital and end our support to 13 community-based healthcare facilities in Ulang county. The closure of MSF’s hospital has left an area of more than 200km from the Ethiopian border to Malakal town without any functional specialised healthcare facility. MSF calls on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, cease such indiscriminate attacks, and ensure the protection of medical facilities, health workers, and patients.
Since February 2025, South Sudan has experienced its worst spike in violence since the 2018 peace deal. Fighting between government forces and armed youth militias has escalated across multiple states, including Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity, and Central Equatoria. This has led to mass displacement, widespread civilian casualties, and a total collapse of already fragile public services.
Despite these closures, MSF remains dedicated to supporting the healthcare needs of displaced and vulnerable people in Ulang and Nasir counties. We have a mobile emergency team assessing needs who are prepared to provide short-term healthcare services wherever security conditions and access allow. MSF continues to provide healthcare services in our other projects in Upper Nile state, including in Malakal and Renk counties.
An escalating trend of violence against healthcare
In January 2025, MSF faced an attack by unidentified gunmen near Nasir, shooting at our boats as they returned from delivering medical supplies to Nasir County hospital. This attack forced us to suspend all outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang counties, which included medical referrals by boat along the Sobat River that allowed women to deliver their babies safely.
In April 2025, armed individuals forced their way into the hospital in Ulang where they threatened staff and patients and looted the hospital so extensively that MSF no longer had the necessary resources to continue operations safely and effectively.
“They took everything: medical equipment, laptops, patients’ beds and mattresses from the wards, and approximately nine months' worth of medical supplies, including two planeloads of surgical kits and drugs delivered just the week before. Whatever they could not carry, they destroyed,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission for South Sudan.
Within a month, another MSF hospital was bombed in Old Fangak, a town in the neighbouring Jonglei state, leaving the facility completely non-functional. This is part of a worrying rise in attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan.
Local communities depended on MSF for prenatal care
“During my third pregnancy, I decided to come to the hospital well in advance before my delivery. I lost my two first children because I did not make it to the hospital on time,” says Nyapual Jok, a young mother from the outskirts of Ulang county.
Nyapual had been transported to the hospital by one of MSF’s boat ambulances, since she lives in a remote village far away from Ulang hospital. Ulang, a vast flood-prone area, is characterised by spotted remote villages which often suffer severe mobility restrictions during the rainy seasons. MSF ran boat transportation services to ensure access to healthcare to mothers like Nyapual.
“It’s very hard to access healthcare here. If we had a hospital closer during my previous deliveries, maybe my children would be alive today,” adds Nyapual.
Nyapual shared her story in November 2024, only two months before the attack on the same boats which helped her deliver her baby safely.
Facility closures create gaps that are difficult to fill
The attacks’ effect of stopping medical referrals by boat has had fatal consequences for the people living in remote areas in the region. People in Ulang and Nasir counties had to wait for days, sometimes even weeks, to get a boat to take them to Ulang hospital. In desperate situations, they would walk for days through a muddy landscape – a land that is nearly impossible to cross on foot during rainy season.
“She was in labour when she suffered birth complications – she had to get to a hospital as soon as possible,” says Veronica Nyakuoth, an MSF midwife at the Ulang hospital, about a patient she attended to in the maternity ward. “Normally, MSF mobile teams would have been able to pick her up by boat, but since that service was cut off, instead she had to wait two days for a private boat to take her. When she finally made it to Ulang hospital, it was too late: the team could not find a heartbeat from the twins she was carrying in her womb.”
150,000 people cut off from care
With the closure of the hospital and the withdrawal of support to the decentralised facilities including transportation of patients, more than 150,000 people will now face even more difficulties accessing healthcare in Ulang county and more might face the tragic fate that Veronica’s patient had to suffer. Over 800 patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV, tuberculosis, and others have lost access to treatment due to the closure of MSF services in the area.
“We need a hospital nearby that can help mothers and children. Without it, many will suffer and lose their lives,” says Nyapual.
MSF in Ulang
Since 2018, MSF had been providing vital health services in Ulang including trauma, maternal and paediatric care. The teams also supported 13 facilities to offer essential healthcare services. Over the past seven years, MSF teams carried out more than 139,730 outpatient consultations, admitted 19,350 patients, treated 32,966 cases of malaria, and assisted 2,685 deliveries, among other essential services. During this time, MSF also provided support to Nasir County hospital and responded to multiple emergencies and disease outbreaks.
Nyapual’s story, along with those of many others, serves as a stark reminder that healthcare is a fundamental right and should never be a target. The consequences of attacks to healthcare are more than the damage to a building; it’s the loss of hope, safety, and the chance for a healthier future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
It peeves me how majority of people talk as if this is our only history. What peeves me even more is that fact no one except usually a few hand full people will mention that we have a history that stretches far back, a history older then many nations. Our history may not be the oldest, but it certainly is not the youngest.
The people of western Europe tend to tell you of their beloved history, like for instance how Greeks invented democracy, yet leave out how the Islamic empire, knew the world was not flat long before they did, or how we revolutionized mathematics , astronomy, its funny how they forget to mention that even though the Islamic empire was younger, their are many people who have done great things for this world, yet white Europe wants us to praise there history as if its our own, till this day they are trying convince their culture is better and that we should imitate them, yet the few honest historians will tell you prophet Mohamed (pbuh) had more good influence on humanity then Europe itself.
You are right! But hey with the likes of Abdiwahab and buuxiye etc being active on this web just to defend a pack of lie, one would ask itself, are there Somalis out there purely recruited by foreign powers just mislead and divide the people? If so, does the one who is being recruited really thinks that he will be left alone when they are done finishing his brothers and sisters?
Abdiwahab is laughable, But Buuxiye is sick individual he does not care about Somaliland or Somalia, all he does is spread hate and animosity.
Any one who toke the time and listened to his rhetoric would see and realise that there is something more malice and sinister going on with this individual.
Here's a list of some of the thing things would catch him saying.
1. Koonfur
2. Puntland
3. Darood
4. Darood
5. Darood
6. Puntland
7. Mj's
8. Faroole
9. Zoomalia
10. Hawiyekill
11. them all (zoomalia's)
13. them all (zoomalia's)
14. them all (zoomalia's)
15. dived zomalia amongst ( Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Kenya)
and as of today that Somaliland history stretch back 8000 years.
Oh here we go..
I can't speak for the People in koonfur who the Zultan of Zanzibar left behind in the horn of Africa but in Somaliland we have a proven 8000 history that is recorded in the Caves across most of the Somaliland Republic.
8000 years ago while the rest of Africa was filled with Naked Tree-dwellers our historic paintings show people engaged in Farming, Herding and manufacture of textiles. The art reflects a level of sophistication that would take another 7000years for the rest of Africa and majority of the world.
What history of ''Somaliland'' are you talking about? Mate before the colonial times their were empires from north to south. There is no one history of the north. The likes of Ahmed gurey and syed fought for the south and north. Yes the caves might date back 8000 years. But the clan ''I@@q'' never existed at that time. As far as I know, the Is@@q's were always the one hated in the north because they were the ones that the British use to use against the likes of Ahmed Gurey and many northern anti colonials group.
One other thing, pleas stop using the name ''Somaliland'' as if you gained it as a nation. All the Somali territories held by the colonials were called ''Somaliland''. The name ''Somaliland'' means, THE LAND OF THE SOMALI PEOPLE. And it is for that reason only why they were all called ''Somaliland'' including the south. You should know, creating a pack of lie is easy, but to maintain it for ever is impossible. Big evidence of that is, Khaatumo state and Awdal state who finally broke their silence. On top of that, more and more ''Is@@qs'' are speaking out against the separatism who misled and and brainwashed the ''Is@@q'' people, using as a tool the massacre inflicted by the military regime. They even high jacked and changed the whole SNM (Somali national movement) from fighting against injustice regime to a separatism movement. IF THE FOUNDERS OF SNM WANTED A SECESSION, THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER CHOSE THE NAME ''SOMALI NATIONAL MOVEMENT'', BUT INSTEAD THEY WOULD HAVE CHOSEN ''SOMALILAND NATIONAL MOVEMENT''. Say what you want but the people are rising up against fools like you. Peace
Truth1,
Truth to be told you said it as it is..
The Dhulos have started to complain about the name of Somaliland and its history of 8000 years. Strange! They think that the Isaaqs had lived through all these periods and any ancient histories that had been found in Somaliland are exclusively belonged to them. They also forgot that the Isaaqs lived in the Horn less than 800 years let alone 8000 years, even though they are proud to claim that the Pyramids of Naaso Hablood was built by their ancestors. The other strange thing is, Dhulos' scope of thinking never develop whether they born in Alaska or in Heegaale and they always remain the same kufurtubelle, Allemagan, Truth1 and many other kids who normally comment here are good examples.
LOL
AbdulRahman Jaberti(Darood) was a Yemeni Zuwali who stole a pair of shoes from a Mosque and in order to avoid his prison sentence ran away to hide in Africa.
History 101!
@Sugule, clearly you are beyond retarded. The name and the people never existed 8000 years yet you want to claim a cave of 800 years old as Somaliland history. Is laughable honestly. Do something about your brain pleas.
a cave of a 8000 years*
Who is Somaliland? you mean Isaaq tribe?
Xaglatosiye?
Xaabsade?
Keyse?
Ali Khalif Galaydh?
Fiqishini?
Warsengali?
Ugaaslabe?
Ciise
Gadabguursi?
Gabooye?
Yibir?
Tumaal?
Somaliland is a republic… Destroying Somaliland will never bring Somaliweyn!!!
Those who wish to build Somaliweyn need to secure the peace and progress of all the 5-Regions. Somaliland, Djibouti, Kilil, Somalia and NFD.
Anti-Somaliland = Anti-Somaliweyn
The existence of somaliweyn does not revolve around somaliland… The people of somaliland are so self absorbed, I hope they never reunite with somalia.
The ajuuran empire was one of the most powerful empires in africa and ajuuran defeatef portoguese who tried to conquer Mogadishu
All the medieval history of somalia is in the south
We reer waqoyi have only primitive paintings in laas gaal
obvoiusly ur from south u troll
All of Somalia North, South, East,West, have a rich history
Wow that is like saying the roman empire was from pakistan.
i think that there should be a two-state confederation between somaliland and somalia (obviously along colonial borders) as the only choice for unity without separatists feeling shame or embarassement because unity must never be founded on force or it will not stick simple as
look at this article to understand further: http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?id=609:federal…
..
somalia history
your crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzy single mother, don't dowload video into this site…………………
Somali history is destroyed by nomads and camel herders who can not comprehend what it is to be a citizen of a country and a member of a collective community. These nomads always think in terms of "whose camel well it is any way". That is why we are squabbling over every piece of neglected real estate in this vast land.
pitiful people!
so, Somalis history started in 1936? even my grandfather in baardheere can trace our history all the way to 1800s. this is a joke
your grandfather is from uganda
All the Somali territories held by the colonials were called ''Somaliland''. The name ''Somaliland'' means, THE LAND OF THE SOMALI PEOPLE. And it is for that reason only why they were all called ''Somaliland'' including the south. You should know, creating a pack of lie is easy, but to maintain it for ever is impossible. Big evidence of that is, Khaatumo state and Awdal state who finally broke their silence. On top of that, more and more ''Is@@qs'' are speaking out against the separatism who misled and and brainwashed the ''Is@@q'' people, using as a tool the massacre inflicted by the military regime. They even high jacked and changed the whole SNM (Somali national movement) from fighting against injustice regime to a separatism movement. IF THE FOUNDERS OF SNM WANTED A SECESSION, THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER CHOSE THE NAME ''SOMALI NATIONAL MOVEMENT'', BUT INSTEAD THEY WOULD HAVE CHOSEN ''SOMALILAND NATIONAL MOVEMENT''. Say what you want but the people are rising up
Folks, you are too much energy confusing my poor self. EG if all somalis are from Somaliland
then why Somalia is there and recognized by the IC when Somaliland aint? All your arguments
revolve on Somaliland, in that case, for a fresh dialogue, Somalia should be erased to exist.
Does this ideology sound a fair new ball game? Then you guys could all fight under the one
name Somaliland. Or maybe you could still say North Somaliland and South Somaliland just
lyk North South Korea, in which case, Somalia goes out of the window.
Cheers.
Somalia came when both the south and north erased the name ''Somaliland''. Clearly you just want one clan based country were by your clan is the actually country. And it is exactly for that reason why the IC will never recognise ''Is@@qland''. Cheers.
Erm, how about somalilanders live life like the non mother f’in factors they are. Simple
When people appreciate the good in others, is only when they can progress themselves by following good examples. But the westerners side with blacks who do wrong like the clowns they constantly advertise to us on TV and papers while our do-gooders are ostracized like Somaliland people and country.
It is not just SL problem, but a problem that affects the whole African continent whereby the embuciles and CIA spies are placed as "leaders" while the rest of the people are called "terrorists" or "fake".
there are two kinds of Somalis, Real Somalis and Fake Somalis or those who converted into Somali they usually claim to be Arabs. anyone who claims to be Arab should move to Arabia, Somalia somali baa leh.period.
btw this is Khaatumo Citizen I can't post comments using my display name for some reason, Amirah is my real name after all lool
agghh a very beautiful name for a beautiful woman madam u r very lovely a unionist as a wife will do nicely xxxxxx
hahaha Jonny are you bloody insane brother, waar meesha ka carar balo ku wife-satay, don't you see we are at war, just kidding LOL but NO sweet talks okay.
lool Amirah tommy-hawk cat..how come you can't use your Khaatumo Citizen Kayse mysticism?
What happened? I knew that Kayse geezer would put you into troubles..oh dear walalo am here to help but on condition that you surrounder to be one of those good maids in the Garadagland lool.
otherwise mohahaha..
PS there are two Arab Somalis, Heritage afro-arab Somalis from Prophet LOT(Nabi luut)
and heritage afro-arab Somalis from Prophet Ishmael s/o prophet Abraham.
Darood if am not mistaken is from the big picture of the ancient arabs from the prophet lot side.
Btw Pharoh tribes should be a branch of the mainstream ancient arabs. So you see Somalis
are between semitics and non-semitics. Btw, it's not only Somalis but the whole arab world
and global village are between semitics and non-semitics or arabs and ajamis or arab,yahut,nassara.
etc. Again, the whole human beings of IC united nations are from time and space hybrids through
intermarriages etc. Complexities difficult to understand since there is a third party enemy no1
the devil satan or ebliss from the jinn beings which goes back to adam/eve.
Cheers.
I can not fathom how Mohamed Cheers can one time sound as a bible thumbing priest and at other times can be so Garadagland tribal. This man is very complex and his comments are very difficult to decipher. As a Muslim you would think he will be quoting from the Quran or somewhat conversant with the near east history when he explains things.
There are no Somali Arabs; this whole story about Arab Sheikhs crossing the red sea on a flying and carpet flashing lights or on a little canoe is the ultimate fiction. All Somalis are Cushitic like the Afar, Oromo and Arusi. The only Somali who will claim an Arab ancestry is someone who suffers a very bad inferiority complex and understandably is not comfortable with his or her skin.
Allemagan walalo, Mohamed Cheers is a victim of Qudhmiye but the guy wears his heart on his sleeve, lol true I sometimes have a difficult time understanding him too maybe he's a priest or Shiekh for all we know.
Loool Mo Cheers buuqa jooji waryaa, I don't know I kinda liked me nickname thoe,
hahaha surrender to whom, PLEASE we started the anti-separation movement in North Somalia now everyone is participating including SLpress, and Guulwade Siilanyo will destroy the remaining separatist camps and hopefully we will liberate Garadag sooner than you think. Unionist will prevail over separatist, I assure you
lool Kayse is my abtiyo dee and at least he makes some effort to think by an intelligent way, maxaad ka rabtiin dee I bet if Siilayo tells you to beat your head against the wall, you would lool
I don't know why you try so hard convince us we are Arabs but I am sure 100% all Somalis came from the same father maybe different mothers, we need to correct our history lool
New nick is better.
Abdulrahman Jeberti(Darood) is not Somali and came from Yemen right???
Somali asal = Dir
It's Darood Jaberti Ismail. carzy creature take your medication you keep forgeting………..
LOL Buuxiye adiga are you Dir, Hashim or Irir? coz you can't be all or pick one whenever you feel like it.
well I believe all Somalis came from the same father like how we are all the same people, same religion, tongue and just about EVERYTHING, it's hard to believe some came from Saudi Arabia, Yemen while other came from Iraq or West Africa, there must be one biological bonds with all Somalis.
also it's true some Daroods mainly MJ and Wasangeli since live in seashores believe Abdulrahman was an Arab man who came to Somalia few centuries ago and married to Dir women.
Do you mean to say Dhulbahante & Majareerteens are not related?
Dhulo Abtirsiin is 25-27 Branches to Ismeal Jebert[Darood]!
Majareer is 36-45 Branches to Ismeal jeberti[Darood]!
Are there two different Darood Clans?
How can you both be HARTI? unless Harti is a mere confederation?
Abdiwahab is laughable, But Buuxiye is sick individual he does not care about Somaliland or Somalia, all he does is spread hate and animosity.
Any one who toke the time and listened to his rhetoric would see and realise that there is something more malice and sinister going on with this individual.
Here's a list of some of the thing things would catch him saying.
1. Koonfur
2. Puntland
3. Darood
4. Darood
5. Darood
6. Puntland
7. Mj's
8. Faroole
9. Zoomalia
10. Hawiyekill
11. them all (zoomalia's)
13. them all (zoomalia's)
14. them all (zoomalia's)
15. dived zomalia amongst ( Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Kenya)
and as of today that Somaliland history stretch back 8000 years.
Darood-Jeberti is Zuwali from Yemen and escaped to Somalia after stealing a pair of shoes from a Mosque??? These Jeberti are related to the jeberti of Eritrea.
Do not fall into the Colonial hands again. British who used colonias SomaliLand shame dude, its better Gudubiirse who used colonize isaaq, instead of loving British to colonize Awdalland is better to colonize u