Finance
MSF says airstrike hit its hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei state
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Summary
MSF's hospital in Jonglei, South Sudan, was hit by an airstrike, destroying vital medical supplies. The attack raises concerns amid ongoing conflict in the region.
MSF says airstrike hit its hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei state
Impact of Airstrike on Humanitarian Efforts
NAIROBI, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Médecins Sans Frontières said its hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei state, where it serves more than 200,000 people, was hit by an airstrike on Tuesday night, destroying the hospital's main warehouse and most of its critical medical supplies.
Details of the Airstrike
The charity said in a statement that South Sudanese government forces were the only armed party in the country with the capacity to perform aerial attacks.
Response from MSF and Local Authorities
Jonglei state's information minister declined comment when contacted by Reuters, directing all questions to the army.
Current Situation in Jonglei State
An army spokesperson did not answer calls seeking comment.
Clashes that the United Nations says are occurring at a scale not seen since 2017 have been convulsing South Sudan for months, raising fears of a rekindling of civil war in Africa's youngest country.
Some of the fiercest fighting has taken place in Jonglei, located in the country's east on the border with Ethiopia, where government forces are seeking to halt an offensive by fighters loyal to Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
MSF said one of its staff members had suffered minor injuries in the airstrike on the hospital in Lankien, adding it had evacuated the hospital and discharged patients hours earlier after receiving information about a possible attack.
In a separate incident earlier on Tuesday, MSF said its health facility in Pieri, also in Jonglei, was looted by unknown assailants, rendering it unusable.
MSF said it was the only health provider serving about 250,000 people in Lankien and Pieri.
Late last month South Sudan's military ordered civilians and personnel from the United Nations mission and all charities to evacuate three counties in Jonglei state ahead of an operation there against opposition forces.
The U.N. mission has said that at least 180,000 people in Jonglei have been displaced by recent fighting.
South Sudan's 2013-18 civil war was fought along largely ethnic lines and cost about 400,000 lives.
(Writing by Vincent Mumo Nzilani;Editing by Alexander Winning and Aidan Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •MSF hospital in Jonglei, South Sudan, hit by airstrike.
- •The airstrike destroyed critical medical supplies.
- •MSF evacuated the hospital before the attack.
- •Clashes in South Sudan raise civil war fears.
- •MSF is the sole health provider for 250,000 people in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions about MSF says airstrike hit its hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei state
1What is humanitarian aid?
Humanitarian aid refers to the assistance provided to people in need during emergencies, such as natural disasters or conflicts, aimed at saving lives and alleviating suffering.
2What is disaster management?
Disaster management involves the planning and coordination of efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, minimizing their impact on communities.
3What is insurance?
Insurance is a financial arrangement that provides protection against potential future losses or damages, where individuals or entities pay premiums to receive compensation for covered events.
