Violent looting prompts permanent closure of MSF hospital in Ulang, South Sudan

MSF suspended all medical services on April 14, 2025 after armed individuals forced their way into the hospital and its offices, threatened staff and patients, and violently looted and destroyed property throughout the facility.

The hospital’s infrastructure, in which MSF had invested millions of dollars, was completely destroyed. In addition, intruders looted medicines worth over $150,000—enough to run the hospital for months and care for thousands of patients. This has left the hospital in ruins and unable to function.

“They took everything: medical equipment, laptops, patients’ beds and mattresses from the wards, and approximately nine months' worth of medical supplies, including two planeloads of surgical kits and drugs delivered just the week before,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission for South Sudan. “Whatever they could not carry, they destroyed.” 

“The extensive losses from the looting have left us without the necessary resources to continue operations,” Mwatia added. “We have no other option but to make the difficult decision to close the hospital and [halt] our support for 13 primary health care facilities, as they all relied on the hospital for medical supplies, referrals, and technical support.” 

A string of attacks on health care

This was the second attack on MSF in the area in less than three months. In January, two clearly marked MSF boats were shot at by unknown gunmen on their way to Ulang after delivering medical supplies to Nasir County Hospital, forcing everyone on board to jump into the water and swim to safety. Less than a month after the looting, another MSF hospital was bombed in Old Fangak, forcing MSF to suspend activities.

Such attacks on health care facilities severely disrupt access to health care services for communities that depend on MSF for medical assistance. The closure of MSF facilities has left the area—which spans more than 124 miles from the Ethiopian border to Malakal—without any secondary health care facility. Pressure has increased significantly on the few remaining health structures, especially in Malakal, which has recorded an influx of patients in recent weeks.

“The security situation in the area remains volatile, with ongoing clashes in neighboring regions,” Mwatia said. “MSF prioritizes the safety of its staff and patients and the integrity of our services, but the current environment makes it impossible to ensure either. We are deeply concerned by the growing trend of attacks on health care and the devastating impact this has on communities. We urgently call for the protection of patients, health care workers, and medical facilities at all times.”

MSF remains committed to communities

Since its launch in 2018, the MSF project in Ulang has provided vital health care services to over 150,000 people across Ulang County. This included running a secondary care hospital and supporting 13 primary health care facilities throughout the region. Over the past seven years, MSF has carried out more than 139,730 outpatient consultations, admitted 19,350 patients, treated 32,966 cases of malaria, and assisted 2,685 maternal deliveries, among other essential services. During this time, MSF also facilitated patient referrals by boat along the Sobat River, provided support to Nasir County Hospital, and responded to multiple emergencies and disease outbreaks.

Despite these closures, MSF remains committed to responding to the health care needs of displaced and vulnerable people in Ulang and Nasir counties. A mobile emergency team is assessing the needs and preparing to provide short-term health care services along the Sobat Corridor, wherever security conditions allow. MSF continues to provide health care services in its other projects in Upper Nile State, including in Malakal and Renk counties, and in other locations across South Sudan.