JUBA — The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that humanitarian partners are treating dozens of individuals at Akobo Hospital who were wounded in clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Northern Jonglei state.
In a statement issued on Friday, OCHA said dozens of conflict-related casualties have been reported in Akobo County following recent military confrontations between government troops and SPLA-IO forces.
“Humanitarian partners report that many patients wounded in recent fighting are being treated at Akobo Hospital. Their condition remains precarious due to unreliable access to emergency referrals and critical life-saving medical care,” OCHA said in a statement.
The renewed fighting and airstrikes in Jonglei State have displaced an estimated 280,000 people, according to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), significantly increasing humanitarian needs across affected counties.
It added that 12 health facilities have been looted or partially destroyed.
It said four are in Uror, four in Nyirol, three in Ayod, and one in Duk, adding that this has severely disrupted essential health services and further limited access to care for vulnerable populations.
“As of 13 February, the humanitarian situation in Jonglei State continues to deteriorate amid escalating clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO),” it said.
“The fighting is driving displacement and further constraining humanitarian access. Partners reported dozens of conflict-related injuries at Akobo Hospital in Akobo County, with patients at heightened risk due to limited emergency and life-saving care.”
In a statement issued on 13 February, members of the Security Council expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria, as well as throughout the country.
They strongly called on all parties to de-escalate and immediately cease renewed hostilities and to resolve issues through peaceful dialogue.
They stressed that this deterioration and continued violations of the peace agreement are undermining stability and worsening humanitarian needs.
