South Sudan

Fieldset

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, gaining its independence from Sudan in 2011 after a long civil war.

However, violence erupted again in 2012, when a power struggle between the president and his deputy gave rise to the South Sudanese Civil War. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and livelihoods.

South Sudan is located in Central East Africa and has a largely tropical climate, although areas in the north of the country tend to be drier and hotter. Malaria and kala azar are both endemic.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) first worked in South Sudan in 1983. Our work has responded to conflicts, neglected diseases and gaps in healthcare.

Margaret Ngunang

Mental health specialist

The beauty of movement: Helping young minds in South Sudan

Hospital is a tough environment for any child, let alone those whose families have lost almost everything. Mental health specialist Margaret explains why, despite conflict, displacement and illness, it’s vital to provide opportunities for kids to simply be kids…

09 Sep 2019 / 6 minute read

Hayes Wong

Doctor

"Another way": Trying to breathe in South Sudan

Searching for a way to save a young boy's life, US doctor Hayes comes to terms with the sometimes unforgiving reality of working in humanitarian healthcare

09 Aug 2019 / 3 minute read

The health promotion team in Bentiu, South Sudan

Elizabeth Wait

Health Promoter

A small army of anthropologists

Could you talk to a stranger about something as sensitive as family planning? How about doing it in a marketplace or while waiting in line? British health promoter Elizabeth shares how a team in South Sudan are reshaping health education...

11 Jul 2019 / 6 minute read

A member of MSF staff crosses a swamp in South Sudan

Elizabeth Wait

Health Promoter

First assignment: Preparing for the swamps

From wading through wetlands to cooking on open campfires, British health promoter Elizabeth has an unexpected first assignment ahead of her…

28 Mar 2019 / 4 minute read

Thok Johnson

Nurse

From child refugee to MSF medic: This is my incredible story

When a humanitarian team saved his young life, South Sudanese refugee Thok was inspired to one day become a nurse and "return the favour"

25 Mar 2019 / 5 minute read

Melissa Buxton

Nurse

Crossing the swamp: How we get healthcare to the people in remote South Sudan

Sometimes MSF staff have to go the extra mile to reach patients, even if it’s through a vast swamp. British nurse Melissa shares her story...

19 Mar 2019 / 9 minute read

Joanne Perry

Doctor

A midwife in South Sudan: “She will sometimes sing to them between contractions”

The majority of MSF teams are not made up of international staff from overseas. Instead, from conflict zones to epidemics, most of our medical and logistical teams are people working in their home countries, using their skills where they are desperately needed. Joanne, a Canadian doctor in South Sudan, celebrates one of our incredible local midwives.

19 Dec 2018 / 6 minute read

Obulejo Stephen Melebi

Midwife

Innovation: How ultrasound is saving lives in South Sudan

Stephen is a midwife from South Sudan, working with MSF in Malakal camp to provide care to people displaced by conflict. In this post, he explains how new kit and training in "point-of-care" ultrasound scans are helping midwives like him make life-saving diagnoses.

12 Nov 2018 / 5 minute read

An MSF land cruiser and quad bike in South Sudan

Alexandra Schuster

Logistician

My life as a flying mechanic in South Sudan

Alexandra Schuster works as a “flying mechanic” in South Sudan, travelling across the country to provide the urgent technical support that can keep a remote medical project running. In this blog, she shares her thoughts on her first ever mission with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

30 Aug 2018 / 4 minute read

Tereza Kaplanova

Epidemiologist

Welcome to South Sudan: The "humanitarian capital"

What would you expect from South Sudan, the “newest” country in the world? Czech epidemiologist Tereza Kaplanova shares her thoughts on arriving in the conflict-stricken country for her first assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

28 Aug 2018 / 6 minute read

Alexander Nyman

Doctor

Spear trauma in South Sudan

"Alex, there is an emergency in New Fangak. Stab wound in the back."

06 Jun 2018 / 4 minute read

Raimund Alber

Mental health specialist

The night I met Thomas: Mental health support in South Sudan

"A small incident can be enough. A trigger. A push over the edge. Something mundane." Content note: suicide.

22 May 2018 / 7 minute read