Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has announced the resumption of its medical activities in Yei County, Central Equatoria State, following a suspension that lasted over three months.
The decision comes after a major redesign of the project to incorporate strict security measures.
the medical charity suspended operations in Yei, on 5 August 2025, after a period of alarming insecurity, including the abduction of an MSF staff member. This happened just days after a Ministry of Health official was abducted from an MSF ambulance.
The organization said that due to ongoing security concerns along key roads such as Yei-Morobo, Yei-Lasu, and Yei-Maridi, it will limit its physical presence in Yei Payam.
As a result, outreach activities will not resume, and the organization will no longer operate in Morobo County.
MSF stated it will continue engaging with all parties to find safer and more efficient ways to support health facilities outside Yei town.
“Providing much needed care to mothers needing a safe delivery, children with malaria, and people fleeing violence—has always been our motivation, and the decision to suspend our activities was a difficult but necessary step,” says Dr Ferdinand Atte, MSF Country Coordinator for South Sudan.
“As we begin this phased resumption of activities, we are changing how we work to keep our staff safe, but our commitment remains the same: to be here, providing neutral and impartial care for the communities in need.”
The resumption of services is critical for Central Equatoria state, which remains one of the areas in South Sudan facing intense violence.
A growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yei town, fleeing ongoing clashes, are in urgent need of medical assistance as access to healthcare continues to deteriorate.
MSF said the newly redesigned project will focus on strengthening emergency and maternal care in Yei Payam, focusing on primary and secondary healthcare by providing targeted support to Yei Civil Hospital.
The organization noted it will upgrade the maternity department and operating theatre to ensure the provision of caesarean sections and other life-saving surgical interventions.
Meanwhile, Primary healthcare support will continue for the Jansuk Clinic, which currently serves the highest number of patients across Yei County.
The medical charity said it will also expand vital services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Yei, including through a community-based approach and support for the one-stop centre at Yei Hospital.
Dr. Atte further clarified the necessary security compromises, stating, “To mitigate against the risks that led to the suspension, the project’s previous outreach component will be fully suspended for now, meaning direct support and on-the-ground activities at remote PHCCs, including to the Boma Health Initiative will cease.”
“While we deeply regret the impact this might have on the communities living far from Yei town, we cannot compromise the safety of our staff. We will continue to engage with all relevant parties to find safer ways to support facilities outside Yei in the future.”
MSF further stated that it is currently holding discussions with relevant stakeholders to finalize the practical modalities for a safe and quick resumption of activities.
The organization calls on all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of all medical and humanitarian workers.
