South Sudan: Residents return to Akobo, a town stripped of services

Following months of conflict, over 100,000 residents have returned to Akobo, a town in eastern Jonglei state, South Sudan, only to find it devastated and stripped of essential services. The South Sudan People's Defence Forces launched an offensive on the town in March, prompting residents to flee to Ethiopia, where they received no humanitarian aid. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has resumed emergency medical activities in Akobo, where the health system has collapsed, with all 15 surrounding health facilities looted and the Akobo Teaching Hospital left without basic resources. The humanitarian response remains inadequate, with urgent needs for food, water, sanitation, and medical services, as the community faces a critical risk of disease outbreaks amidst deteriorating conditions.

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