Juba (ICRC) - In less than three months, the medical teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have conducted more than 1,000 surgeries on weapon-wounded patients arriving in Akobo County Hospital and Juba Military Hospital.
The influx of patients is the direct consequence of the escalation of armed conflict and violence the country has experienced in the past months and the scope of the resulting humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people have fled their homes, often repeatedly, while hundreds have been wounded or killed.
The escalating humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the influx of war-wounded, returnees and refugees from the neighboring Sudan, and the spread of cholera.
"We have been treating weapon wounded patients with life threatening conditions. And the influx was so huge we had to install extra space to accommodate all patients. Some suffer from severe infections because it took time for them to be evacuated," said Fredy Aruni, ICRC operating theatre nurse. "Recently, I treated a five-year-old boy injured by two bullets. He arrived at the hospital when the wound was already infected - it was one of the most heart-breaking moments of the past several weeks."
"We see an alarming trend of looting and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Attacks affecting health facilities and services are particularly disturbing, because they are a lifeline for the civilian population, and enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law", said Florence Gillette, the head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan.
To respond to the spiraling humanitarian needs in South Sudan, the ICRC has stepped up its surgical capacity. At the same time, it continues its dialogue with the parties to the conflict to remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law, which protects civilians and all those not taking part to the hostilities, such as the sick and the wounded, as well as the detainees. The ICRC also sensitizes all actors involved in armed violence about humanitarian principles.
Between March and 20 May 2025, in relation to the escalation of the violence and its emergency response, the ICRC, among other activities, has:
For more information, please contact:
Germain Mwehu, ICRC Juba, tel: +211 912 360 023, [email protected]
To preview and download the latest ICRC video footage in broadcast quality, go to
www.icrcvideonewsroom.org
To find out what the ICRC is doing to put an end to attacks on health workers and patients, go to
www.healthcareindanger.org