Gaps in Healthcare Threaten Lives as Violence Escalates in South Sudan

South Sudan is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as violence escalates and international support declines, according to a new Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) report. The country’s health system is near collapse, with many facilities non-functional, severe shortages of staff and medicine, and rising deaths from preventable diseases.

Since January, renewed fighting has displaced more than 320,000 people and killed about 2,000. Attacks on health facilities increased sharply in 2025, forcing MSF to close two hospitals and disrupting care across several states. Communities are also struggling with displacement, flooding, malnutrition, malaria, and the worst cholera outbreak in the country’s history.

Despite growing needs, funding has fallen. A major health program now supports fewer facilities, many without basic supplies. MSF urges donors and authorities to act urgently by restoring funding, ensuring safe access to healthcare, protecting medical facilities, and increasing the national health budget to meet basic needs