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As South Sudan experiences a significant surge of tens of thousands of individuals escaping the intensified conflict in Sudan, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is enhancing its response to the humanitarian emergency in Renk and nearby informal communities along the border. In recent weeks, the count of newly displaced individuals has exceeded 80,000, including many with combat-related injuries. MSF is urging for immediate, coordinated humanitarian and medical assistance for those displaced to address critical deficiencies and avert additional suffering.
Since the onset of December, over 5,000 individuals have been entering South Sudan daily due to the escalating conflict near the frontier in Sudan’s White Nile, Blue Nile, and Sennar states. The surge in population into Renk town and surrounding regions has overwhelmed already limited resources, placing displaced individuals in a state of crisis.
“We have set up 14 tents around the hospital to accommodate the war-injured patients that are arriving at Renk County Hospital,” states Emanuele Montobbio, MSF emergency coordinator in Renk. “There is no additional space for other tents in the area, while patients and their families continue to arrive at the hospital. We are collaborating with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to treat war-injured individuals and handle the rising influx of critical cases and mass casualty responses in pre- and post-operative care wards, but the situation is entirely overwhelming and insufficient. Only a few dozen patients have received surgical interventions and tetanus vaccinations in recent weeks, while over 100 injured individuals, many with severe injuries, remain awaiting surgery.”
Outside the transit centers in Renk and in informal settlements, thousands are compelled to exist under trees or in makeshift shelters, with restricted access to food, potable water, healthcare, or other essential services. The subpar water and sanitation conditions are amplifying the risk of disease outbreaks at a time when Renk is already dealing with an ongoing cholera epidemic.
“Immediate measures must be implemented,” asserts Roselyn Morales, MSF deputy medical coordinator in South Sudan, after the team’s ground assessment. “Thousands of individuals are enduring harsh conditions beneath the open sky in informal settlements, facing critical shortages of food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare. We urgently implore both South Sudanese authorities and international organizations to swiftly enhance their response in Renk and beyond, ensuring that the vital and life-saving needs of the affected populace are addressed without hesitation.”
The two Renk transit centers, designed to house a maximum of 8,000 individuals, are currently accommodating over 17,000. While most returnees and refugees initially entered South Sudan via the official Joda border crossing, a growing number are now crossing through informal routes to the east of Renk. More than 82,000 new arrivals have been documented in regions including Joda, Duku Duku, Jerbana, Shemmedi, Gosfami, and Atam.
“Our village was ablaze,” recounts Alhida Hammed, who has been displaced from Sudan’s Blue Nile state and is currently undergoing treatment for a gunshot injury at Renk County Hospital. “The homes were on fire, and everyone was fleeing in various directions. We have been uprooted and now dwell under a tree. I have no desire to return home. My home is no longer a home—it is filled with distressing memories.”
“I previously only heard of air raids, but recently, it became my reality,” narrates Bashir Ismail, who hails from Mosmon in Blue Nile state. “I was at the market purchasing some supplies when the bombing commenced. Something struck me in the chest—it was the most excruciating ordeal of my life. I was so dazed that it felt like I had lost my memory. The next moment, I found myself in Renk County Hospital.”
MSF is deploying mobile clinics to render primary healthcare in informal settlements located in Gosfami, Atam, Jerbana, and Joda, where displaced individuals are concentrated. On December 17 alone, MSF teams conducted over 250 medical consultations in Gosfami and referred critically ill patients to Renk County Hospital. We are also initiating activities to address the urgent necessity for water and sanitation in Atam and Jerbana. Furthermore, relief supplies have been sent to these areas for distribution among 2,500 displaced families. However, in spite of these endeavors, the response remains inadequate due to the lack of other humanitarian organizations in these informal settlements, which has resulted in a substantial gap in support for the displaced community.
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