“Every time this happens, people lose access to healthcare – and sometimes to hope,” Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the UN World Health Organization (WHO )’s representative in South Sudan. “Health is the last safety net. If it fails, everything else falls too. “
The apparent air striker in the hospital, run by Médecin’s Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fang in the eastern jongs, killed seven civilians and wounded another 20, according to UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA).
Healthcare not a target
The attack is the eighth time healthcare has been targeted since January “With health workers killed, facilities and important supplies looted or destroyed,” the WHO official told journalists in Geneva.
“More attacks can lead to closure half of the health facilities Along the Nile, ”he added.
Dr. Karamagi explained that humanitarian convoys and essential cold -chain infrastructure had come under fire, at a time of escalating violence that has affected civilians since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, which fell shortly after to civil war.
Since March, tensions have escalated in the Upper Nile state with deadly clashes between government forces and armed groups. This has upset an estimated 80,000 people in three of the most affected counties, the WHO official said.
He added that clashes are also reported in parts of Western Equatorial, central equatorial and unity states, which forced society – “mostly women and children” – to flee into neighboring countries, including 23,000 arrivals in Ethiopia.
Diseases are spreading
Back in South Sudan, outbreaks of cholera, malaria, measles and MPOX are spreading quickly, causing the UN Health Agency to insert quick response teams and coordinate with local partners where possible, in the midst of access restrictions linked to the escalating violence.
“The alternative, if we do nothing, would be gloomy,” The WHO official warned and pointed to cholera cases that can double in just six weeks and measles death that could rise by 40 percent.
Cholera alone has infected more than 55,000 people since September and killed over 1,000, the UN Health Agency said.
‘War Crime’ condemnation
In a related development, the United Nations Commission for Human Rights (Ohchr) in the South Sudan bombing condemned as a potential war crime.
“This was not a tragic accident,” said Yasmin Sooka, chairman of the Commission. “It was one Calculated, illegal attack on a protected medical facility. “
MSF confirmed the hospital’s complete destruction, including its pharmacy and emergency care units. Further aerial bombardments were also reported in New Fangak and raised fears that such attacks are part of a wider military campaign.
Air strikes followed public threats from the South Sudanese military forces demanding the return of seized boats and felt several Nuer-Majority counties, including Fangak, as “hostile.”
“To designate the entire community as hostile is deeply irresponsible and can pose a collective punishment,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.
Placing about action
The UN Commission has called on immediate investigations of the bombing and warned that repeated violations are threatening to derail South Sudan’s fragile peace.
With high -level delegations from the African Union and Igad now in the capital Juba, calls for renewed dialogue are higher. “The path South Sudan is currently on is dangerous,” warned Ms. Sooka. “If attacks like these continue with impunity, the peace agreement risks becoming meaningless.”
In his last appeal, Dr. Caramagi The cost of passivity: “Help us to ensure that this does not become the moment health – and hope – finally gives way.”
