Unknown number dead, hundreds without medical care in
Pibor
Escalating inter-communal clashes left an unknown number of
people dead and hundreds injured without access to medical care in Pibor County
of Jonglei state, South Sudan.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Médecins Sans
Frontières or MSF teams reported treating hundreds of wounded and are
attempting to reach out to thousands hiding in the bush.
MSF Head of Mission Raphael Gorgeu said “We are currently
treating, with the support of the Ministry of Health, 176 wounded, including
128 gunshot wounds, and so far we’ve performed 34 surgical interventions. We
are expecting more to come.”
He added that “our next priority is to ensure that patients
in need of post-operative care and follow-up are flown to our larger MSF
projects in Lankien, Nasir and Leer. 7 have already been moved.”
Mr Gorgeu said an MSF emergency team is attempting to reach
tens of thousands of people hiding in unsafe, malaria-infested swamps, without
access to safe drinking water, food, or medical care.
The head of Pibor County MSF team, John Tzanos said "they are afraid to seek medical care in towns so it is essential for us to intervene where they are so that all those in need can access treatment."