Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expressed serious concerns regarding the welfare of its personnel in Lankien and Pieri in Jonglei state, South Sudan, in light of recent violent outbreaks in the region. Amidst this unrest, 26 of their 291 staff members are unaccounted for after losing contact during intense fighting, raising fears over their safety and well-being. MSF had already evacuated their facilities in Lankien hospital and Pieri healthcare center prior to the violence due to rising tensions and warnings of a potential attack on the locality.

While MSF recognizes the likelihood that communication disruptions could be attributed to limited connectivity in the region, the organization remains urgently worried that the missing personnel may be encountering hazardous conditions that are impeding their ability to make contact. The area's communication infrastructure is known to be fragile, and many staff members have fled into surrounding bushes to escape possible violence, leaving them at significant risk.

As this situation continues to develop, MSF is not only anxious about the immediate safety of their employees but also the situation of those who have been displaced along with their families due to the conflict. The humanitarian implications are severe, with MSF highlighting the need for safety and accessibility to provide critical medical care in a region already facing numerous challenges. Inaction could further worsen an already dire humanitarian landscape in South Sudan.