MSF, Doctors Without Borders, Sudan drone attacks
South Sudan

26 MSF staff members remain missing in Lankien, South Sudan

Latest News2 March 2026

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of its staff following the recent escalation of violence in Lankien and Pieri, Jonglei State, South Sudan.

In total, 26 out of 291 MSF colleagues working in Lankien and Pieri remain unaccounted for following the recent violence, as we have lost contact with them amid the ongoing insecurity. At the time of the fighting, staff had already evacuated the hospital compound due to the rising tensions and information about a possible attack on the town. After the evacuation, MSF sought to confirm the whereabouts and safety of all of its staff, but has been unable to reach everyone.

We are deeply concerned about what has happened to our colleagues and the communities we serve. Where security conditions allow, we have initiated emergency support in areas where people have sought refuge. We are also taking steps to support our staff during this period. Yashovardhan, Head of Mission in South Sudan
MSF_ Doctors Without Borders South Sudan Conflict.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Lankien, Jonglei state, South Sudan, was hit in an airstrike by the government of South Sudan forces during the night of Tuesday, 3 February 2026. One MSF staff member suffered minor injuries. The hospital’s main warehouse was destroyed during the attack, and we lost most of our critical supplies for providing medical care.
MSF

Communication networks in the Lankien and Pieri areas are extremely limited. The lack of network access is exacerbated for those who have fled into remote bush areas to seek safety. Our loss of contact may be linked to the absence of connectivity. However, we are seriously concerned that some of our colleagues may be facing very difficult conditions that prevent them from communicating with us.

Many of our staff were forced to flee the violence alongside their families. Several are now displaced, sheltering in remote areas with little access to food, water or basic services. Beyond MSF being forced to suspend medical activities for approximately 250,000 people across the two locations, this crisis has directly affected the very health workers who were providing care to their communities.

“This violence has taken an unbearable toll not only on healthcare services but on the very people who kept them running. Medical workers must never be targets,” says Yashovardhan, Head of Mission in South Sudan. “We are deeply concerned about what has happened to our colleagues and the communities we serve. Where security conditions allow, we have initiated emergency support in areas where people have sought refuge. We are also taking steps to support our staff during this period.”

MSF, Doctors Without Borders, South Sudan
MSF healthcare facility was hit and damaged during an airstrike on Tuesday 2 December, in the morning hours, in the town of Pieri, Jonglei state, South Sudan. After the facility was hit, and the gunship helicopter left, MSF teams found several bullets that hit the infrastructure within the facility. MSF staff remained safe, and there have been no reported casualties among the local community linked to airstrikes.
MSF

MSF is making every possible effort to re-establish contact with our missing colleagues and to support all affected staff and their families. The safety and security of our teams remain our highest priority.

MSF reiterates that medical facilities, patients, and healthcare workers must be protected at all times. Attacks on healthcare are unacceptable and deprive vulnerable and underserved communities of essential medical care.