![MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, Mohamamd Ibrahim tours the MSF photo exhibition at Palm Africa Hotel on November 08, 2023. [Photo by Isaach Buay for MSF]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DSC02594.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&ssl=1)
In 1983, when MSF first began working in what is now South Sudan, the country was in the midst of a brutal civil war that lasted for 22 years. The war caused widespread displacement and destruction, and millions of people were left without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
“Since the beginning, MSF has remained committed to its mission of delivering impartial and independent medical care to those in need, regardless of their background or circumstances. Thanks to a long-standing collaboration with South Sudanese health authorities, as well as the continued engagement of local communities, MSF’s presence in South Sudan, a country marked by the conflict and complex healthcare challenges, has been a beacon of hope for countless individuals and communities,” says Mohamed Ibrahim – MSF head of mission in South Sudan.
MSF’s teams worked tirelessly to provide medical care to those affected by the conflict. They set up makeshift clinics in refugee camps and war-torn villages, and they treated patients suffering from a wide range of injuries and illnesses.
In the early 1990s, MSF expanded its operations in South Sudan to include the provision of maternal and child health care, nutritional support, and treatment for infectious diseases. The organization also began to train local health workers, in an effort to build up the country’s capacity to deliver healthcare services.
In 2005, the civil war in South Sudan ended, and the country began the long process of rebuilding. However, the years of conflict had left South Sudan with a shattered healthcare system and a population in dire need of medical assistance.
MSF continued to play a vital role in South Sudan’s recovery efforts. The organization worked to rebuild hospitals and clinics, train more health workers, and provide essential medical care to communities across the country.
“MSF has collaborated with local authorities and communities to enhance the impact of our work and better address the complex challenges faced by the people of South Sudan. Our 40 years in South Sudan have been a testament to the resilience of the South Sudanese people and the unwavering commitment of our teams. We look forward to continuing our mission, striving for a better and healthier future for all,” added Dr. Sigrid Lamberg, Head of Mission for MSF in South Sudan.
In recent years, MSF has also been responding to a number of humanitarian crises in South Sudan, including outbreaks of disease, malnutrition, and violence. The organization has been providing emergency medical care to those affected by these crises, and it has also been working to prevent future outbreaks and conflicts.
Today, MSF is one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations working in South Sudan. The organization has over 3,000 staff members working in 13 projects across the country. MSF provides a wide range of medical services, including surgical care, maternal and child health, nutrition, and the treatment of infectious diseases. The organization also works to train local health workers and to support the South Sudanese Ministry of Health in its efforts to improve the country’s healthcare system.
MSF is committed to continuing its work in South Sudan as long as there is a need for its services. The organization is proud of its 40-year history of providing life-saving medical care to the people of South Sudan, and it looks forward to continuing to serve the country’s most vulnerable populations for many years to come.
