“Whenever it happens, people lose access to health services – and sometimes hope,” said Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, representative of the United Nations World Organization (WHO) in South Sudan. “”Health is the last safety net. If he fails, everything else will also fall. “”
The apparent air fracture on the hospital led by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Old Fangak in the east of Jonglei, killed seven civilians and injured 20 others, according to the Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA).
Health care not a target
The attack has been the eighth time that health care has been targeted since January “with health workers killed, essential or destroyed essential facilities and supplies,” the WHO official told journalists in Geneva.
“More attacks can lead to closure half of health establishments Along the Nile, “he added.
Dr. Karamagi explained that humanitarian convoys and essential infrastructure of the cold chain had been criticized, at a time of violence which had an impact on civilians since South Sudan acquired its independence in 2011, descending shortly after in the civil war.
Since March, tensions have intensified in the state of the Haut du Nile, with fatal clashes between government forces and armed groups. This uprooted about 80,000 people in three of the most affected counties, said the WHO official.
He added that clashes have also been reported in certain parts of the Western Ecuadoria, central equatoria and unity states, forcing communities – “mainly women and children” – to flee to neighboring countries, including 23,000 arrivals in Ethiopia.
Propagating diseases
Back in South Sudan, cholera, malaria, measles and MPOX epidemics spread quickly, which prompted the United Nations Health Agency to deploy rapid response teams and coordinate with local partners as far as possible, in the midst of access restrictions linked to the escalation of violence.
“The alternative, if we do nothing, would be dark”, “ The WHO official warned, pointing to cholera cases which could double in just six weeks and deaths in measles which could increase by 40%.
Cholera alone has infected more than 55,000 people since September, killing more than 1,000, the United Nations Health Agency said.
Condemnation of war crime
In related development, the United Nations Human Rights Commission (OHCH) in South Sudan has condemned bombing as a potential war crime.
“It was not a tragic accident,” said Yasmin Sooka, president of the committee. “It was a Calculated and illegal attack against a protected medical establishment. “”
MSF confirmed the complete destruction of the hospital, including its pharmacy and emergency care units. Other air bombings have also been reported in New Fangak, which raises fears that such attacks will be part of a wider military campaign.
The air strike followed the public threats of the South Sudanese military forces which demanded the return of boats seized and labeled several counties of Nuer-Majority, including Fangak, as “hostile”.
“The whole whole designation as hostile is deeply irresponsible and can constitute a collective sanction,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.
Plea for action
The United Nations Commission urged immediate investigations into the attack and warned that repeated violations threatened to derail the fragile peace of South Sudan.
With high -level delegations from the African Union and IGAD now in the capital Juba, calls for renewed dialogue become stronger. “The Chemin du Sudan du Sud is currently perilous,” warned Ms. Sooka. “If attacks like these continue from impunity, the peace agreement is likely to become meaningless.”
In his latest attraction, Dr. Karamagi highlighted the cost of inaction: “Help us assure us that this does not become the moment of health – and hope – finally yields.”
